being a speech pathologist: what does that mean?

So, I was one of those kids that was extremely lucky to know what I wanted to do with my life from very early on. I had one very lame goal I wanted to achieve:

• to make a difference and positive impact in someone's life.
  I know it's impossible to change the world but thought, hey, it's worth starting some where.

Fast forward through my schooling years and 4 years at university, ah viola I got that $30,000 piece of paper telling me that I was qualified to help people talk.

Hmmmm so what does that even mean?
When people ask what I do they often respond "OH YEAH SO YOU DEAL WITH STUTTERS AND LISPS, RIGHT?"
Well no (you pleb), I do much more than that. I give someone a voice, help build their basic understanding and ability to communicate, help someone fit into society and help them to show the world it's okay to be different.

For some utterly STUPID reason society has this perception that if you:
A) Look different
B) Talk differently
C) Dress differently
D) Behave differently
You are this complete alien to the world and you will never fit in. And let me be honest, YOU are the most basic and simple-minded pleb if this is your way of thinking.

Every single person on this planet has strengths and weakness. We all have different hobbies, we have different interests, we learn different ways.
Why should society say that well hey, since giving you this diagnosis it is going to automatically make you different? These people need to be ENabled rather than DISabled throughout their life.

Together slowly, we can break down these barriers society have created and help make the world a more kind and accepting place to live in.

I am a Paediatric Speech Pathologist who works with children who have disabilities. Doing this job can be very tough but on the other hand, everyday I am truly astounded by the progress these kids make on their journey throughout life.

• J