In this episode of the Listen for LIFE Aphasia Podcast, Genevieve is joined by Mary Osborne, an occupational therapist specializing in supporting individuals and families living with dementia. Here are the top takeaways from their discussion: - It is essential for clients to feel seen, heard, and understood, as communication is complex and often requires more than just traditional rehabilitation methods. - Genevieve is experienced in working with both fluent and non-fluent aphasia, with non-fluent aphasia being her main focus. - Mary and Genevieve highlight the overlap between aphasia and deme ..read more

In this Listen for LIFE Aphasia podcast episode, we dive into speech therapy and the innovative platform SpeechFlix. SpeechFlix is a Netflix-style database of on-demand speech therapy home practice videos for aphasia, dysarthria, and much more! The guest for this episode is Sarah Awde, the creator of SpeechFlix. She has a bachelor's in French linguistics and a master's in clinical science in speech-language pathology. Here's a comprehensive summary of what you can expect: - We explore Sarah Awde's journey as the creator of SpeechFlix and how her background in French Linguistics and experience ..read more

In this episode of the Listen for LIFE Aphasia podcast, we dive into the world of caregiving for individuals with communication with Dr. Kristin Schaffer Mendez. Dr. Kristin Schaffer Mendez, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist and an assistant professor at the University of St. Augustine in Austin, TX. Her primary areas of focus are in adult neurogenic communication disorders and counseling. Kristin researches holistic treatment approaches and lived experiences of people with aphasia/PPA and their care partners. She shares her expertise a ..read more

The 100th episode of the Listen for Life Aphasia podcast celebrates aphasia independence, focusing on self-sufficiency and resilience. This episode highlights the importance of aphasia independence as someone's joureys through life. It also includes metalanguage in understanding communication patterns and advises celebrating small victories while striving for continuous improvement. The episode concludes with a reminder to access a free resource on aphasia independence and extends well wishes for a happy 4th of July and Aphasia Independence Day. Top Takeaways: Independence requires a mindset ..read more

In this episode, we talk about the inspiring work of Maura Silverman, the executive director at the National Aphasia Association. Maura is a passionate advocate for individuals with aphasia and their families, driven by her personal experience with her mother's aphasia. She emphasizes the importance of Aphasia Awareness Month, which aims to amplify aphasia voices and promote confidence and life participation. The association undertakes various initiatives to raise awareness, including social media campaigns, movie screenings, and a library showcase project. They also have a unique fundraising ..read more

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Ralph Preston, a stroke survivor, as he shares his path to recovery after a right-side hemorrhagic stroke. Here are the top takeaways from this episode: - Ralph emphasizes the importance of intense therapy and dedication to improvement in stroke recovery. - He created the Stroke Buddies Facebook group to provide support and resources for stroke survivors. - The Stroke Buddies YouTube channel, with its 380+ videos, showcases exercises and recovery techniques to help stroke survivors overcome fear and make progress. - Ralph is working on pro ..read more

In this episode of the Listen for LIFE Aphasia Podcast, our host, Genevieve Richardson, is a guest on Telepractice Today for their 200th episode! The episode dives into the world of telepractice and its impact on accessibility and reaching people regardless of their location. Genevieve is joined with Michelle Boisvert where they share their experiences as speech-language pathologists and how telepractice has revolutionized their fields. Here are the top takeaways from this episode: - Telepractice requires the right equipment, including a reliable computer, a solid wifi connection, an iPad, and ..read more

In this episode of the Listen for Life podcast, hosted by Genevieve Richardson, we dive into the world of aphasia rehabilitation and support. Our guest, Michelle Armour, a speech-language pathologist at Northwestern Medicine Aphasia Center at Marianjoy, shares her experience and insights on how to navigate life with aphasia. Here are the top takeaways from our conversation: - Michelle started the Aphasia Center at Marianjoy due to the limited resources available for individuals with aphasia. It began as a support group and has now evolved into a comprehensive program. - The Aphasia Center offe ..read more

In this episode of the Listen for Life Aphasia podcast, we explore the profound impact of perception and definitions on the journey with aphasia. We emphasize that how aphasia is defined and perceived profoundly influences how treatments are designed, implemented, experienced, and accepted. Here are the top takeaways from this episode: - Perception plays a crucial role in the journey with aphasia. It can either limit the potential for recovery or unlock innovative holistic approaches that focus on a return to a fulfilling and engaged life. - Understanding the perception of the person with apha ..read more

In this episode of the Listen for Life podcast, we dive into the challenges faced by individuals with aphasia and their caregivers, and the crucial role that community support plays in navigating aphasia care. Here's a comprehensive summary of what you can expect: - We start by sharing the inspiring story of Betty, a retired store manager whose husband experienced a stroke and now lives with aphasia. Betty initially felt overwhelmed and hesitant to accept help, but we explore how she overcame her concerns and found support. - One key takeaway is the importance of respecting the wishes of indiv ..read more