NJ teen, 'Speechless star,' raising awareness for cerebral palsy
WILMINGTON (WPVI) -- "Speechless," one of ABC's newest comedies, is taking on a situation that's no laughing matter - cerebral palsy.
The star of the show, New Jersey native Micah Fowler is putting the neurological disorder in the national spotlight.
Like his character J.J. on the show, Fowler also has cerebral palsy and doctors at Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children have been helping him out since he was a baby.
The 18-year-old actor was at the hospital for a routine checkup Thursday, but his life has been anything, but routine since the show premiered.
"I am so thankful," Fowler said.
Fowler says he feels grateful and honored to represent people living with special needs.
His family couldn't be prouder.
"He's blown us away, above and beyond what we thought he could do. We never knew he could pull off the long hours, that he could pull off so many different expressions; he's gotten really into it and he loves it," Micah's mother Tammy Fowler said.
"Everybody has just been so supportive," Micah said.
His doctor is also thrilled by the impact of the show
"I think it gives hope to others with special needs that they can do anything, like Micah is doing," Dr. Kirk Dabney said.
Micah's family hopes the show breaks barriers and shows that people with special needs aren't defined by their disability.
"That people don't look at us any different, or the families or people with disabilities any different. They see we're just regular people dealing with other challenges that are a little bit different than the next family," Tammy said.
Micah also has a message to other kids with special needs: always follow your dreams and never give up.
ONLINE: Cerebral Palsy Foundation
