As I reflect on Motormorphosis 2025, I am filled with more emotions than I can name but in this blog I am going to try. Motormorphosis is an experience that I think every Nonspeaker, family member, and professional should attend at least once. It is the most powerful feeling of acceptance for Nonspeakers. It is a weekend of comradery, understanding, and empowerment for families. It is educational for all parties. It shows professionals in various fields how to interact with us and accept us as we are using our preferred method of communication.
I am going to attempt to name my emotions through bullet points and explanations. I am curious what other spellers relate to on this list.
- Overwhelming joy: How can you not feel this at a conference that accepts us exactly as we are? I had friends all around me. I could stim without a sideways glance of judgement. I was so happy to see Spellers on stage to educate others but also when they impulsively ran up there, not one person treated it as a negative behavior. See what I mean by feelings of acceptance? How can you not smile at that?
- Incredible excitement: There is research happening that will change our world and we are invited to participate in it. Our lived experiences are valued. We are on our way to Spelling to Communicate being “evidence based”. Meaning the haters soon won’t have a leg to stand on. Researchers have included Spellers all along the way. How empowering!
- Validation: Our experiences were validated. Even though our lives are far from identical, our experiences are freely shared. It allows us to relate to each other and learn from each other. It makes my struggles feel seen.
- Eye opening reality check: This might not sound positive but it is. Having missed out on so much in life I think many Spellers and parents want to make up for lost times. This can lead to overwhelm and burnout. There was a session on this topic put on by a panel of Spellers and it was so powerful, everyone needs to watch it.
- Hopeful: Having people from all over the world gathered by the hundreds inspires so much hope for all Nonspeakers and Unreliable Speakers. More voices are heard every day.
- Inspired: It’s inspiring to see the hard work by everyone paying off. It’s incredible to hear all of the accomplishments in the spellerverse. I want to be a part of the inspiration. I am also inspired by all of the positivity despite the struggles. How could you not be inspired by all of the resiliency in the room?
These emotions aren’t enough to encompass it all but it’s hard to put all of the feelings into words. All I can say is that I hope to see you all there next year so you can find out for yourself.
About the Author
Ben McDonald is a 25 year old unreliable speaker that has been spelling to communicate since 2020. He finds so much joy in writing and letting his creative thoughts out. Communication is for so much more than basic needs.
