April 2009
*TWO GROUPS THIS MONTH!*

Aphasia Center of West Texas
Midland, TX

Having Their Say: the People of the Aphasia Center of West Texas
By Kathryn Shelley, Executive Director

Because aphasia is a chronic disorder, the end of rehabilitation therapies can mean panic when there is no "next step" ahead. The Aphasia Center of West Texas, a 501(c) (3) non-profit formed in 2002, offers hope to individuals with aphasia and their families.

The Aphasia Center's backbone to its holistic model of programming is the "life participation approach to aphasia.”  Re-engagement in life activities is the focus rather than meeting specific insurance or speech output guidelines. Regardless of speech or physical impairment, the Center offers a variety of stimulating activities within an adaptive setting every weekday.

The Center focuses on outcomes related to people’s environment, their ability to participate in friendships, engage in hobbies, deal with self-perceptions and the attitudes of others. Center members and families receive professional information about what they face, a network of peers who have adapted to living with a chronic communication disability, and on-going activities where people with aphasia get back to living life again.

The Aphasia Center is proud to be part of a movement worldwide to provide life-long tools for those with aphasia to live a life of dignity. After all, as Rocco Rossi, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, said, “What we need aren’t just stroke survivors, but stroke thrivers.”

Services and Programs
Living Well with Aphasia is a four-week courseoffering friends, families, caregivers and people with aphasia practical communication training to lessen the daily frustrations of aphasia, plus candid information about what to expect for the future.

Community Classes offer daily activities such as conversation groups, computer lab, exercise, fine art, adaptive cooking, book club and more – all within an adaptive environment specifically designed for people with aphasia. 

Family & Friends support group: For every life interrupted by aphasia, there is an entire family system that has also made profound lifestyle changes. The third Friday of each month, family and friends gather for support and sharing.

 “The Center has given up back our lives. The people there are the best. For anyone with aphasia, this is the place to be.”
- Ronnie Davis, Center family member

“The collaboration has provided my patients and families the support and confidence in returning to a productive lifestyle.”
– Stephanie Davis, M.S. CCC-SLP

For more information...
Please contact the Aphasia Center of West Texas, 5214 Thomason Dr, Midland, TX 79703
www.AphasiaWTx.org
(432) 699-1261  
______________________________________________________

Aphasia Communication Group
Providence Medford Medical Center
Medford, OR

Twice each month, a group of strangers gather together at Providence Medford Medical Center (Medford, Oregon) to socialize, share experiences, and provide support to one another.  While they have varied backgrounds and interests, these individuals are connected by a shared struggle---the challenge to communicate.  These adults have communication disorders due to stroke, head injury, or other neurological disease that make every day situations, like making a doctor’s appointment, an immense and sometimes insurmountable challenge.  These once independent individuals have suddenly found themselves unable to make their needs known, interact with people in the community, and express their feelings to friends and family members. Many have become socially isolated, as they have been unable to return to work, stop attending club meetings, and lose contact with friends and family members who do not know how to communicate with them.  Their loved ones suffer as well, grieving the loss of communication with their partner, family member, or friend.  They miss discussing topics of interest, expressing emotion -- even arguing.  They, too, become socially isolated, as their world revolves around caring for their loved one and taking on the many responsibilities they once shared.

Throughout the world, there are many such individuals who could benefit greatly from a support group made up of others like themselves, to share their struggles and adaptations, and communicate within a supportive and understanding environment.  Thankfully, there are an increasing number of communication support groups forming around the country.  In response to this need in our Southern Oregon community, we began offering a free monthly communication group, facilitated by a speech-language pathologist.  While at first only communicatively impaired individuals attended, we later opened up the group to include spouses/family/caregivers, a positive change that has been welcomed by all group members.  We have recently increased to twice monthly meetings, beginning with greetings and introductions as a large group, then breaking into two smaller groups, allowing caregivers and communicatively challenged group members to engage in independent discussions/activities.   We have found this to be quite beneficial, as those with communicative challenges no longer have to “compete for the floor” with fluent communicators, and caregivers can discuss issues they may not feel comfortable discussing in the presence of their loved ones.  Those with communicative difficulties use a variety of modalities to communicate -- spoken words, gestures, drawing, pointing to words/pictures -- as they express their interests, play games, and share past experiences. Caregivers share frustrations, offer support, and provide each other with suggestions for taking care of their loved ones and themselves.  The sounds of frustration, sadness, relief, and laughter fill the room as this group of strangers quickly become friends, connecting with others who can truly understand what they are experiencing every day.

In the two years since our group began, we have developed a strong core membership, with the continual addition of new members (We often have 15-20 attendees!).  What began as a small group of communicatively impaired individuals, has become a group of friends, supporting each other as they grapple with the daily challenges of living with aphasia, apraxia, and dysarthria.

The group members say it best…

Communicatively challenged members indicate why they enjoy the group: “Because we can hear each other.”  “Being with friends.”  “I can talk and not be intimidated…feel a part of the group…people who don’t understand, they think you’re strange.” “Coming to a group with other aphasics - - I feel at home.  Even though I speak well now, most people just don’t get it.”

Caregivers add: “I’ve learned so much talking to the others -- plus, it’s fun.”  “It makes her happy.  She gets more out of this than anything I can give her.”  “I think this is wonderful…I need some answers…it helps me to understand and be able to help him.”  “It is a relief valve.”  “Thanks for having this group...it's one of our many miracles.”

If reading this article has inspired you to begin a communication group in your community, please do so.  The joy and comfort it will bring to all who participate cannot be overstated.

For more information...
Please contact Julie Mondz-Kleinman, M.S., CCC-SLP at Julie.MondzKleinman@providence.org
 ______________________________________________________

Check Out More NAA Groups of the Month!