June is Aphasia Awareness Month!
Aphasia is a language disorder that impacts a person's ability to express, comprehend, read, and/or write. Because of this, very few people with aphasia have spoken out in the past; however, now aphasia continues to appearing in the news. Each time it does, I think back to a graduate school lecture about how speech-language pathologists should help inform the public about aphasia. While I will always continue to advocate for those with communication disorders and educate the public, I know I cannot share first-hand experience. If I have learned anything since that lecture, it is that those with aphasia and their family members are the best advocates for the disorder.
Gabby Giffords continues to be a huge advocate for the aphasia community, showcasing her therapy and use of strategies to continue to make public speeches. Bruce Willis' family have spoke about his aphasia diagnosis, a more recently discovered Primary Progressive Aphasia. Additionally, Jessica Pegula has discussed how family dynamics have changed since her mom suffered a heart attack and subsequent loss of language.
I can't help but feel a sense of pride of those with aphasia and their family members sharing their journeys. There is no better teacher than those with first hand experience, now we need the public to listen and learn.
Some things to remember:
Aphasia does not impact intelligence.
Communication is more than words.
Everyone's voice deserves to be heard.
If you or a loved one are impacted by aphasia, a speech-language pathologist can help improve communication across all domains (verbal, comprehension, reading, and writing).
Sophia Apgar, M.A. CCC-SLP
Insight Speech and Swallowing Therapy, LLC
Articles Referenced Above:
"Gabby Giffords and her ongoing fight" CBS News (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gabby-giffords-wont-back-down-documentary/)
"Bruce Willis: What is aphasia and how does it impact communication" NPR (https://www.npr.org/2022/03/31/1089806228/what-is-aphasia-explained)
"I Want to Talk to You About My Mom" Jessica Pegula in The Player's Tribune (https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/jessica-pegula-tennis)
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