On Monday, June 6, 2011, Dina Moran a 4 year-old girl born without a mouth and tongue received a generous gift of a Say It! SAM speech device from donor Patti James at Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center (CDTC). The Say It! SAM speech device is a touch screen communication aid that uses artificial speech and can display text and symbols to help users communicate. Ms. James’ mother, Phyllis Davies who was one of the first woman Deacons in the history of her church, utilized the device after a stroke and Ms. James decided to donate the device to a child in need after her mother passed. Despite the hardships while Ms. James was growing up, Ms. Davies always instilled in her children the value of doing for others. For Ms. James the opportunity to donate the device to Dina was a very special moment that allowed her to honor the memory of her mother.
Dina has received care from the Center’s doctors since birth. She was born with several congenital anomalies, including Pierre Robin Syndrome, which left her with no jaw, a tiny mouth opening and a complete cleft palate. Additionally, Dina has no tongue with prevents her from talking and limits her food intake. In her young life, Dina has already undergone several surgeries to make her a mouth. Unable to speak as a result of her condition, specialists in her school have begun to work with Dina and a similar speech device to help her communicate.
“Thanks to the generosity of Ms. James, Dina will now have the opportunity to better communicate with her family. It is truly a life changing gift,” said Susan M. Widmayer, Ph.D., Executive Director of CDTC.
Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center (CDTC) is a not-for-profit organization that serves more than 10,000 children with special health care needs in Broward County each year. CDTC’s mission is to promote the optimal health and well-being of children with special health care needs by providing comprehensive prevention, intervention and treatment services within a medical home environment. CDTC is a nationally recognized “Center of Excellence,” offering a unique system of care for infants, children and youth with chronic illnesses, disabilities and developmental delays. All medical care and social services are provided regardless of the families’ ability to pay. More information about CDTC and pictures from past Camp Hope adventures can be found at the Center’s website at: www.childrensdiagnostic.org