It made me laugh to see how comfortably she assumed adults would listen when she knew what she wanted.

The center had a lending library, quiet rooms for families, and classes in sign language and accessible communication.

Parents came with children who spoke little, children who spoke constantly, children with hearing differences, and children who communicated in ways their schools were still learning to support.

Nobody promised miracles.

We offered practical tools, referrals, and the radical courtesy of asking families what they needed.

At the opening, a reporter asked Pearl whether she had finally found her voice.