Mum receives best Mothers Day present: Non Verbal son says “I Love you”

A mothers wish to hear her non-verbal son speak has come true in the most unusual way.

When a child utters their first words it is an unforgettable moment for any parent, but for Jo O’Brien hearing her non-verbal son speak has been life-changing.

The Sydney mum of four had scant hope of ever hearing her 11-year-old son, Henry, talk after he was diagnosed with an extremely rare disease - Glass Syndrome - but a mobile phone’s accessibility feature has rekindled her hope.

Ms O’Brien said the new technology has allowed her to hear the four most desired words any mum wants to hear - “I love you mum”.

“When we came across the accessibility app, little Henry was in the car and we were going home and all of a sudden he typed ‘I love you mum,’” Ms O’Brien said.

“I actually had to stop the car, because he’s never been able to say it that way, he’d do it through Auslan, but to hear a little voice say it, just meant so much.”

Jo O’Brien with her son Henry. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Ever since discovering the text-to-speech feature on his iPhone in December last year, Henry has been able to type out what he wants to say, with the app converting the text to speech, saying it out loud for him.

The accessibility features were introduced by Apple in May last year and included a range of innovative tools for cognitive, vision, hearing and mobility accessibility.

“He was just so surprised when it read it out and he was really proud too.”

Henry’s mum has been able to see his confidence skyrocket, opening up new doors of opportunity to interact with people without standing out from the crowd.

From ordering waffles to getting his haircut Henry has been taking massive steps in regaining and developing his independence, partaking in conversations he wouldn’t have before - even attending choir sessions during lunch at school.

“I just think of the moment when you have no hope and now I’ve got hope and I’ve got it in front of me, is such a wonderful feeling,” Ms O’Brien said.

“It does hurt every day when you see him not being able to meet milestones that other regular kids can.

Jo has been delighted to see Henry’s confidence skyrocket. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“But we get a lot of different things with Henry, we get a lot more happiness with him, because he’s so quirky.”

Glass Syndrome affects several body systems, but not much is known about the syndrome, as there are only about 740 people globally diagnosed with this condition - 13 in NSW among just 40 across the nation.

Ms O’Brien has shared a few words of wisdom to other mothers and parents raising kids with disabilities.

“The challenges are always going to be emotional and financial when it comes to someone with a disability,” Ms O’Brien said.

“When you’re not prepared to have a child like Henry, you just have to navigate it all on your own.

“As a parent you’ve got to look after yourself a lot, you’ve got to make sure you’re surrounded by really supportive people.

“Keep pushing and don’t let other people tell you that something can’t happen.”