From leading small group discussions to performing before packed audiences of over 200,000 on mission trips, I have gone from fearing the possibility of being misunderstood to embracing new challenges before me. My increasing passion for communication has manifested most clearly during my high school summer vacations, in which I have participated in a traveling musical each year with my church. Together with a full ensemble of volunteers, I have visited countries from El Salvador to Tanzania to perform in front of over 200,000 children as well as to volunteer with various development initiatives offstage. Through that process, I utilized my newfound talent in the arts by acting and my developed communication skills by working with others, giving testimonies, and interacting with the children who came to watch the show.
While I no longer use art as a crutch for verbal communication, every time I pick up my brush, I am reminded of those early days. I am reminded of the frustration of not being able to convey myself through language, but I am also reminded of how my early experiences have shaped me. Though there were many moments when I felt lonely and misunderstood because of my speech delay, there were many more irreplaceable moments that I could have never experienced had I not gone through what I did. As a result of my speech delay, I was able to explore art as a method of self-expression and was driven to go beyond my limits. Hence, I consider my speech delay, not a handicap, but a blessing in disguise.
While I no longer use art as a crutch for verbal communication, every time I pick up my brush, I am reminded of those early days. I am reminded of the negative aspects of not being able to convey myself through language, but I am also reminded of how my early experiences have shaped my future goals. The painful experience of feeling frustrated and lonely, misunderstood and estranged, helped me find my own unique way of expressing myself.