CEDARVILLE, Ohio — Cedarville University student Paul Miller is defying the odds as a digital media and broadcast major after doctors told his parents he would never speak as a child.
He starts his day at Cedarville’s student radio station. You’d probably never guess based on how polished he is, but growing up, Miller struggled with his speech.
“I was born with oral motor apraxia, which is where your brain really doesn’t communicate to your mouth what to do,” he said.
His doctors didn’t give him a good shot of ever figuring it out.
“My parents were told when I was born that I would never be able to speak,” he said.
Throughout his childhood, Miller spent nearly six years in speech therapy, where finally something clicked when he was 8. But Miller believes the power of prayer is how he overcame his disorder.
“I praise the Lord for that, because, you know, it’s not something that I did,” he said. “By all odds, I shouldn’t be able to speak now. It’s through the lord that I’m able to.”
Speech experts at Apraxia Kids in Pittsburgh said recovery depends on both the severity of the diagnosis and the frequency of intensive speech therapy. Through therapy, many patients make significant improvements.
Miller is certainly one of those cases where he continues to exceed expectations.
Paul Miller poses with his National Champion award, along with all of Cedarville University’s decorated Speech Team (Photo: Cedarville University).
He’s a member of Cedarville University Speech team, winning a National Champion award for a Faith Literature Interpretation speech in 2021.
Now, he’s working on completing his degree to pursue a career in filmmaking.
Assistant Professor Sean O’Connor said he’s seen great growth in Miller as a student, but never would have guessed he had speech issues growing up.
“I think that’s a testament to his humility and his ways of being a servant,” O’Connor said.
Miller said there was a lot of struggle along the way, but for his peers to never notice, that’s the highest remark.
“It is a huge compliment, but it’s more testimony to the Lord to see how he’s worked and moved.”
