The Loudest Voice of Silence

Brielle is certainly an influential force in the speller verse-since learning to fluently communicate on her letter board, she has become an active blogger (check out the work of her and her friends at “Speaking is Overrated”) and revealed her extensive musical talents: poetry, composition, and classical instruments are her repertoire. If you need a violin concerto, she is your girl! She is an advocate for all of her “silent friends”, sharing with the world that just because you are nonspeaking doesn’t mean you can’t sing. I was lucky to meet her and her mom/CRP to talk about her love for music and hear her reflections as one of 2021’s spellebrities.

Brielle, I am so excited to meet you. Congrats again on your nomination as an influencer during this year’s Spell-tember! I have several questions for you today and can’t wait to get your thoughts, the first being: as an active part of the spelling community, what is something most people don’t know about you?

I’M HAPPY TO TELL YOU I’M A TWIN.

That’s amazing! What is your relationship like?

I’M BESTIES WITH MY SISTER. KARA ACCEPTS ME AS I AM. SHE IS REALLY SO STUNNING. MY SISTER AND MY FAMILY HELP ME TO SOAR.

I love hearing that-I have sisters myself and we definitely developed our friendship much later in life, so I am glad you have such a special connection! I also heard you are quite the musician which leads me to my next question: If you could choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what song would you choose and why?

IT WOULD BE “SILENT MERMAID”. IT IS MY SONG. HAPPILY, I WROTE THE WORDS AND MUSIC. LOVINGLY I WRITE SYMPHONIC MUSIC. I HOPE TO CONDUCT SOMEDAY.

I’m sure we’d all love to hear it, please feel free to share with us if you’d like! Now that we’ve clarified your entrance song, what would you choose as the title if your life was a book?

THE STORY OF MY LIFE WOULD BE CALLED: THE LOUDEST VOICE OF SILENCE.

That seems very apt 🙂 What about a superpower? What would you choose and why.

IT WOULD BE TO FLY, I AM FRIENDS WITH BIRDS. I LOVE FREEDOM AND FLIGHT SEEMS SO FREEING.

I completely agree on that and can relate to the love of birds! Now I have a few deeper questions for you. What does communication mean to you?

SO MUCH. IT MEANS SHARING YOUR HEART WITH THE WORLD. SOME TYPE TO TALK: IT IS RESPECTFUL TO LISTEN.

What do you think is a remaining challenge for nonspeaking people and what is your suggestion for overcoming?

SOME STILL DON’T PRESUME COMPETENCE. I ENCOURAGE TEACHERS TO GIVE MORE LOVE TO NON-SPEAKERS. I HAD A FAMILY AND SOME STUNNING TEACHERS WHO BELIEVED IN ME.

Describe a scene from our future world in which nonspeakers are fully recognized and included. (Pretend we are following you around with a video camera, what would we see you doing, who would we see you speaking to, what supports would be normal and everywhere)

YOU WOULD SEE ME ON STAGE REALLY SHINING, CONDUCTING MY SYMPHONY. TYPING TO TALK WOULD BE AS COMMON AND AS RESPECTED AS SIGN LANGUAGE.

That is beautifully said-“Typing to talk would be as common and respected as sign language”. I am absolutely looking forward to that day 🙂 Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like me to know?

I WOULD LIKE LOVING SOULS TO KNOW A PERSON WITH AUTISM CAN SING WITHOUT SPEECH. I WRITE MY MUSIC WITH A NOTATION BOARD CREATED BY MY FIRST MUSIC TEACHER LAURA NADINE DOOLEY. I DO NOT HAVE TO GIVE UP MUSIC BECAUSE I AM NON-SPEAKING. MY MUSIC GIVES ME A VOICE. I HOPE MY MUSIC REACHES OTHER NON-SPEAKERS AND ENCOURAGES THEM TO HAVE HOPE IN THEIR DREAMS.

Described as stunning, smart and a great speller. “Brielle is one of the most faithful, kind, intelligent, encouraging and compassionate human beings I have ever met.” Brielle has many talents but her musical ability stands out. She is a magnificent composer and has written a variety of songs and even a symphony! She has worked very hard learning to communicate on a letter board and wants the same opportunity for her fellow non-speakers.