I am a speech-language pathology graduate student at Jacksonville University and am currently taking a course on aphasia. My professor’s extensive knowledge and compassion has poured over to her students, and I have become so passionate about helping those affected by aphasia. We have had experiences with guests with aphasia come into our class several…
When I was 16 years old, I was in a terrible car Accident and had a traumatic brain injury affecting the left side of my brain. Because of my TBI, I lost the ability to talk, walk, swallow, etc. By the grace of God and some very good therapists, I regained all of these skills.…
I enjoy working with adults who have aphasia because each new patient is a puzzle requiring me to find the most efficient and effective method of communication, I love this about my job. It is as though SLP’s need to locate all of the pieces of a puzzle in the dark. First you start feeling…
I wasn’t quite sure what to check to describe my connection to aphasia…I’m a speech-language pathologist (SLP), a caregiver, and a loved one connected to aphasia. In my 25+ years of being an SLP, I’ve known many persons affected by aphasia, but my career, nor my education, prepared me for the heartbreak of seeing my…
There are endless reasons why being a speech-language pathologist is a rewarding career. In fact, there are far too many to name. But perhaps the biggest reward is when you are able to give a person, regardless of their age or diagnosis, a “voice.” Last fall, while supervising our Aphasia Group at our local university,…
In 2005, I found myself working with several stroke survivors as a Speech Language Pathologist. One stroke survivor in particular would frequently ask the questions “Am I the only one with these problems?”, “why did this happen?”, and “how did this happen?”. After providing much education and counseling, I realized the best way to get…
What a great way to raise awareness of stroke and the symptoms one may experience with Aphasia. I often run into patients and family members who are initially frightened by all the changes and loss of independence, they or their loved one has suffered. Aphasia does not just affect the patient, it affects the family…
My first semester of graduate school I was assigned to work with a client with aphasia. While frustrating for the client at times, it was amazing and rewarding when progress was made. I look forward to helping change lives for the better for the rest of my career.
My late husband suffered a motor stroke a few years ago. I vs.e home from work one day and immrdiatelyy knew signs and symptoms of stroke. Working in acute care with stroke pts daily was my knowledge base. I called 911. Immediate care and hyical therapy was a godsend. Education is so important and when…
I decided to be an SLP my junior year in high school. During my senior year of high school my 5ft 0inch wonderful grandmother had a stroke which left her with severe aphasia. During my freshman year of college I was told that my grandmother “punched” a CNA in the nose and broke it because…