'Speechless' star Micah Fowler honored by Nemours for bringing cerebral palsy to Hollywood

Nothing has stopped Micah Fowler from living out his dream.

The 20-year-old actor is the star of ABC's "Speechless," playing the character JJ DiMeo. Like Micah, JJ has cerebral palsy. The condition, which inhibits his speech and limits his mobility, put him in a wheelchair from an early age.

A smile never left his face during a brief interview. Although his character doesn't speak, Fowler talks with some stuttering and some hesitations that don't stop him from making himself perfectly clear.

"I want to show people to never give up on your dreams," Fowler said. "No matter what, you can accomplish your goals."

A native of Barnegat Township, New Jersey, Fowler has been treated at Nemours A.I. du Pont Children's Hospital in Wilmington multiple times. He was the guest of honor at the 13th annual A Night at Nemours Gala Friday. It was held at the Nemours Mansion behind the hospital off Del. 141, and raised money for cerebral palsy research and care.

Fowler made his acting debut at nine on "Blue's Clues," then landed small roles on "Sesame Street" and in the 2013 movie "Labor Day."

Almost two years before the "Speechless'" pilot episode, Fowler submitted a "personality tape" to show's casting directors. He and his family heard nothing. 

"I thought I did not get the part," Fowler said.

Then about a year before the pilot, Fowler was contacted by the show. It had switched networks, from FOX to ABC, which delayed the casting process.

After four months of back and forth, Fowler found out he received the role on his 18th birthday. 

"Best birthday gift ever," Fowler said. 

"Micah had never gone out to LA for a screen test," said Fowler's sister, Kelsey. "He had never met a single member of the production team or of the casting office. It was pretty incredible and that’s pretty unheard of in California." ABC recently picked up "Speechless" for a third season. 

Much like his presence on the show, Fowler's vivaciousness Friday carried a message of hope and inspiration to others. 

The gala introduced the hospital's new CP division chief, Dr. Wade Shrader. He and his wife, Carol, have two sons, Benjamin and Mason, who also have cerebral palsy, one who uses a wheelchair and one who uses arm crutches. Decked out in tuxedoes, they beamed with excitement  as they approached Fowler.

"Micah is our hero," Shrader said. "The show is just such a beacon of light for us. There is so many things that we see in the show that happen to us as parents of disabled children and see how they handle it and see how they get through and how they impact the world around them. It’s just such an amazing place.

"To have him here as part of this gala to raise awareness and funds for how we take care of kids with CP here at Nemours AI Dupont Hospital for Children, it’s just a huge honor."

More than 3,000 children from around the world receive care for cerebral palsy at Nemours every year. It is the leading cause of disability in young children worldwide.

CP manifests as a group of movement disorders that cause problems with how muscles work, balance and coordination. Some kids are able to walk with CP, but others are resigned to a wheelchair. It can affect speech to varying degrees. 

Fowler, who was wearing a tuxedo, too, spoke to the 700 people gathered for the gala, thanking them for supporting the Nemours program. 

"Kids like Micah, that have special needs, that have cerebral palsy, have some many challenges and different hurdles through their lives," Shrader said, "and it’s so important for Micah to come out and show the world what a great life he has and what a great way he is able to impact other people’s lives."

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Contact Brandon Holveck at bholveck@delawareonline.com.