What are you thankful for at the beginning of this New Year?
I am thankful for the all the adventures I had last year. The outings with my granddaughter and daughter. Multiple visits to the zoo, both Roger Williams in RI and Richmond in VA. The pumpkin patch. Trips to VA. A family wedding and family cookout. Family zooms and aphasia zooms. Meeting new aphasia friends. so much.
Like I said last week, I am grateful for today. A chance to live well, even with aphasia and apraxia. Everyday I am open to new opportunities to be my best self. It’s not always easy, but I see possibilities that I wouldn‘t have seen before.
I am thankful for what the New Year can bring. I have several goals or projects in mind for this year. Starting a toastmasters group for people with aphasia. Starting a support group for people who have apraxia and aphasia after a stroke. Expanding membership in the Aphasia Conversation Partners group that currently meets every Friday and possibly making this a 1-1 program.
I‘ve been thinking about these projects for awhile. I am grateful to be able to share the details with you in this blog.
Aphasia Friendly Toastmasters (enhancing recovery) group (AFTER)
This group will use an adapted version of Toastmasters, which is designed to improve public speaking skills, build leadership skills, practice writing speeches and presenting to a supportive group.
In order to join, a person has to have aphasia or other communication disorder which makes communication a challenge and has to have the ability and willingness to produce a 2-3 minute speech and present it to the group. Members will be asked to present at least once per month.
what makes this aphasia friendly?
* respect for one another and views
* all forms of communication will be accepted and celebrated
* one topic at a time, when possible
* outside distractions will be reduced (microphones muted when there are outside noises)
* no one speaks for another nor finishes sentences (unless help is requested)
* time will be given to the speaker (interruptions will be reduced when possible)
* each member will have the opportunity to volunteer for weekly positions - master of ceremonies, timer, topics master and evaluators.
Apraxia Support Group Online
There are many support groups, in person and now online, for stroke survivors and for People with Aphasia (PWA). Support for people who have acquired Apraxia of Speech are not prevalent. Having both apraxia and aphasia is doubling hard for me and I believe it is for others. That is why I would like to organize an online Apraxia Support Group so we can support one another, share resources and tips and strategies.
Great goals, Cheryl. I took a Dale Carnegie Course a long time ago. I think it's similar to Toastmasters. We stood in front of the class and gave a short speech. It did help to build my confidence but did not help me to sell Mary Kay cosmetics. :-)
Wishing you luck with setting up your groups.
This post is so inspiring and filled with positivity. I am so impressed by the goals you have set for yourself and the projects you have planned for this new year. Your ideas for an Aphasia Friendly Toastmasters group and an Apraxia Support Group online are truly innovative and will provide so much support and encouragement for those living with aphasia and apraxia. Your attention to detail and consideration for the unique needs of those with communication disorders is truly admirable. I can't wait to hear more about these projects as they develop and I wish you all the best in your efforts. Thank you for sharing your journey with us and for being such an inspiration to others.
I think what you are doing will benefit so many people. My ex-husbands mother had a stroke & I recall the challenges & frustrations she felt when trying to communicate. I wish you success with your endeavor. Good luck at UBC & with Toastmasters.
As a former toastmaster and certified speech-language pathologist, I applaud you for taking the initiative to move forward with your goals. Having worked with people with both aphasia and apraxia, I have an idea how challenging your life may be sometimes. Keep following the promptings of your heart. Many will bless you for your work.
Every week, I participate my aphasia-members Toastmasters session and it is my favourite communication program. Although we are still doing this virtual, it is such a rewarding experience, from my “practicing” and the social interaction with my other aphasia colleagues!