[ID: six-panel comic of someone using an AAC device. the text is blue, in all caps, on a white background.
p1: art of them sitting, with a neutral expression. they're saying "How are you?" with their AAC. it's captioned "I'm using AAC more often / It's a slow process
p2: text from someone off page, saying "Ugh, I wish you would just TALK!" they respond "sorry" with an uncomfortable expression. it's captioned "Everyone is really supportive / But it's still seen as a terrible thing, a tragedy"
p3: art of them holding the tablet close to their face, with a frustrated expression. an arrow points to them reading "looking for the words." the panel is captioned "AAC takes much longer than verbal speech / And I feel like a burden if I can't carry the conversation enough"
p4: them sitting, knees to their chest, with a worried expression. the tablet lays on the floor next to them, and the caption reads "Using AAC isn't opposed to verbally speaking / It's opposed to isolating myself, to staying quiet"
p5: them lying, curled on the floor, hands covering their face. it's captioned "My mouth doesn't let me say much these days / I don't know if speaking will get easier or harder"
p6: them with a happy expression, using their AAC to talk to their boyfriend. it's captioned "But I have so much to say / And people that want to hear me say it" /end ID]
