This week starts the new semester at the Sargeant Center Aphasia Center at Boston University. I think most major cities now have Aphasia Centers that people like me, with aphasia, can go for free. Yes, I said free. For all those people who have exhausted their insurance for speech therapy, there is support out there. (there are also community groups for people with aphasia can go for support. I will list resources in another post.)
I didn’t find out about this resource until I met my current SLP. I applied and got accepted last semester and it was wonderful. They even gave me a full evaluation. They can offer these services because college and master level students do their practicum. The professors that supervise them are wonderful.
This semester I am excited to do the fiction book club, the toastmasters group and a Talk of the Town group. Participants are at all levels so I can imagine that is challenging for the students. I think it is wonderful, though, to see people at all levels. Ones you have been in before and you can see your own progress. And to see people at higher levels of skills and know you can look forward to being there....
I didn’t always feel this way In fact, when I began last semester, most people had better skills than I did and none of them had both aphasia and apraxia. I have done a lot of soul searching to get to this point I’m in now.
I have chronic fatigue syndrome, and I think aphasia is the name for one of the symptoms I have. I often have trouble naming the thing I am thinking of, and can describe it, but cannot think of its name right away. And sometimes, not at all.
I didn't know there were such places but will share with others so they can check it out.
I'm hooked! You and your story are compelling. I feel like I'm in the bleachers rooting for you!