Jocelyn was diagnosed with a developmental language delay at a very young age (less than 2 years). She suffers from severe apraxia of speech (which does not allow her to speak clearly), as one characteristic of her syndrome, Hypomelatosis of Ito. Jocelyn's parents report that she has always been able to understand much more than she was able to communicate to others. This has affected her ability to perform academically, as well as to interact socially with other children at an age-appropriate level. Jocelyn has been able to use the Vantage as one tool in the school setting for the past two years, with some opportunities to also use it at home during the evenings and on weekends. Her mother is also a speech/language pathologist, which has been beneficial in helping Jocelyn learn to use the Vantage to express herself more fully at home. Jocelyn's parents, David and Deb Reynolds, are delighted that she will be able to obtain a Vantage of her own.

"We talked to our insurance company about funding at least part of the cost of purchasing a Vantage for Jossie, but it was not covered under our health care coverage. As with most people in this country and around the world, we did not have an 'extra' $7,000 to be able to purchase Jossie her own communication device. We are thrilled that she will have her own Vantage that can be entirely customized for her use, and which she will not have to take back to the school in the summertime, etc.," reports Jocelyn's mother. "Jossie has always had a lot to say, but has not been able to express herself clearly. Though she still prefers to talk as her main method of communication, Jossie's speech is not understood by most people. The Vantage gives her the chance to 'speak up and be heard' by everyone! We are so grateful to the Prentke Romich Company for giving Jossie this opportunity, as well as to the staff at Highland Park Central for helping us to submit the application for the '40 for 40' program." Joyce Zey, the speech/language pathologist at Highland Park Central, as well as Jossie's special education teacher, Marcia Derr, have been instrumental in supporting Jossie in her educational program and enabling her to more fully participate in a fully inclusive classroom setting."

"Now, with the Vantage device donated by PRC, Jocelyn will be able to ask for food and drink and let others know when she is in pain or is sick. In the classroom, she will be able to participate fully with their classmates in any lesson, give the weather report, play games with her peers, and interact with others in a way that she never has before," Deb Reynolds concludes.