Meet Jordan LeVan

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jordan LeVan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jordan below.

Jordan, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
“I discovered my purpose through the experiences of growing up amidst hardships. I was diagnosed with childhood apraxia of speech when I was five years old. This condition made my school and social experiences challenging. I faced bullying not only because of the way I spoke but also because of my musical preferences, clothing choices, and not conforming to the traditional ‘masculine’ expectations. Due to these differences and my inability to fit the mold, I was excluded, leading to the deep-rooted belief that I didn’t belong. I questioned if I was somehow broken or defective, viewing myself as a flaw. I didn’t want to be who I was; I wanted to fit in. For so long, fitting in and blending in felt safer than standing out. I just wanted to feel safe.

This struggle led to the development of major depressive disorder and anxiety-related disorders, as I no longer accepted myself. At a breaking point, I decided I no longer wanted to live this way. While searching for the critic in the room, I eventually found a mirror, and the only person it was pointing back to was myself. I no longer wanted to speak to myself in a way I would not dare speak to a friend. During mental health treatment in my recovery, I realized I didn’t want anyone else to feel alone as I did in childhood. Growing up, I didn’t know anyone else with my childhood apraxia of speech diagnosis.

So, I started my online social media accounts under the name ‘Fighting For My Voice.’ Here, I not only share my experiences with my speech diagnosis but also focus on reclaiming my identity and embracing my authentic self. Throughout this journey, I found my purpose – to show others that they can unapologetically be themselves and own their truth.”

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am expanding my advocacy work, actively working to pass new laws that ensure fair treatment for people with disabilities. I believe in upholding basic human rights for every individual.

In my latest endeavor, I’ve released the fourth book in my new series, “Jordan’s Journeys,” following the success of my children’s book series, “Jordan’s World,” which has sold over 10,000 copies. As an author, I continue to share my life experiences through my writing.

Currently, I am gearing up for my next tour, having just concluded the “Jordan’s World Trilogy Book Tour.” What makes these events special is the opportunity to meet families with loved ones who share my diagnosis. Building personal relationships with my readers and followers is something I genuinely cherish.

As part of my commitment to advocacy, I am actively involved with “The Apraxia Foundation,” a 501(C)3 nonprofit. We are working on expanding our outreach and planning festivals in 2024 to celebrate individuals with childhood apraxia of speech. Through fundraising efforts, we aim to fulfill our mission of providing speech therapy and AAC grants to families in need, recognizing access to services and healthcare as fundamental human rights.

In essence, my overarching goal is to contribute to the creation of a more accepting and inclusive world for all human beings.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I would say patience, understanding, and practicing being nonjudgemental with not only others but yourself. Therapy greatly benefited me in learning these skills and how to practice having compassion for myself, as I did not always know how to have this.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
I would say in my self-identity and how I view myself, I wasn’t always secure. I believe that from an early age, growing up with my speech diagnosis, there could be so many interpretations of who you are, what you must like, and more, stemming from societal expectations and norms. I almost felt confined to others’ beliefs or opinions about who I must be. I have been practicing breaking those barriers and placing importance on being my authentic self.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Kendra Knight Photography

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