Speaking Out - The Central Pennsylvania Aphasia Center

Central
Pennsylvania
Aphasia
Center
Members of the Central
Pennsylvania Aphasia
Center participate in
writing, editing, and producing this newsletter as
part of their language
recovery process.
Aphasia (UH-FAYZHUH) is a communication disorder resulting
from damage to the
speech and language center of the brain. It impairs a person’s ability to
verbalize, comprehend
words, read, and write
while intellect is generally
unaffected.
In This Issue
From the Director’s
Desk
Cherokee Pharmaceuticals Awards Grant
Speaking Out
Volume 1, Issue 2
Fall 2011
From the Director’s Desk
As I reflect on the summer
session at the Aphasia Center I
am struck by the progress
demonstrated by our members. Progress occurs in many
ways. Of course, improvement
in the ability to communicate is
considered to be progress.
This type of improvement is
measurable. However, many
aspects of ―progress‖ are not
so easily measured, although
they are just as important.
worth. These are the immeasurable gains that lead to a
greater quality of life.
During the summer semester
our members enjoyed a ―Sit &
Be Fit‖ class taught by physical
therapist Kristin Smiley. We
learned about the effects of
stroke and brain injury on
vision from Optometrist Dr.
Betsy Hancock. Several members volunteered at the Danville SPCA helping to socialize
Yes, our members are comthe animals. Additionally, the
municating better but they
Aphasia Center finally achieved
have achieved so much more
a Web presence this summer
by attending the Center. I
thanks to the talents of Cheryl
consider myself blessed to have Hrapowicki.
the opportunity to witness
transformations sparked by the We look forward to the fall
human connection of friendsemester, October 10 through
ship, increased confidence and December 16, when new and
an improved sense of selfreturning members will enjoy
Robin Petrus,
Executive Director
new experiences. The Center
also will be hosting SpeechLanguage Pathology students
from Bloomsburg University. If
you or anyone you know is
interested in attending the
Central Pennsylvania Aphasia
Center, please contact us at
570-284-4555.
Cherokee
Pharmaceuticals
Awards Grant
Frequently Asked Questions
Cherokee Pharmaceuticals
awarded $3500 to the Central
Pennsylvania Aphasia Center
for the purchase of computers,
computer accessories, an iPad,
books for our resource library,
and therapy materials. These
items have a direct impact on
the quality of services we provide to our members with
aphasia.
Fishing for Words . . .
and finding them!
Technology is an integral part
of our lives at home, at work,
Member Profile—
Gregory Moroz
Wine Tasting Fundraiser
Our Helping Hands
Donations and Grants
Greg Moroz and Darryll Purnell (rear, left to right), Nancy Messersmith and
Kim Reich (foreground, left to right) enjoy new computers provided through a
grant from Cherokee Pharmaceuticals.
(see page 2, “Grant‖)
Page 2
Speaking Out
(Grant continued from p. 1)
―At the Aphasia
Center we
encourage
members to utilize
available technology
to aid in the
recovery process.‖
and in the community. At
the Aphasia Center we encourage members to utilize
available technology to aid in
the recovery process. The
computers are used during
computer lab sessions to
access speech and language
programs online, surf the
Internet, practice typing, and
help members to relearn
computer skills. We also are
able to use the computers to
access national and international news stories during
our News Forum class. The
iPad has many different applications for augmenting verbal
communication and practicing
speech skills.
The Central Pennsylvania
Aphasia Center offers a resource library of books and
DVDs that can be borrowed
by individuals with aphasia,
family members, and caregivers. Thanks to Cherokee,
the Center has been able to
add four books to the library.
Therapy workbooks and
picture cards provide a variety of ideas for facilitating
communication during our
group speech and language
therapy sessions.
The Center is grateful for the
support provided by Cherokee
Pharmaceuticals!
Member Profile: GREGORY MOROZ
―Since starting at
the Center I no
longer feel alone
because I have
found friends who
understand, and we
help each other.‖
Greg has been a member at
the Aphasia Center since we
first opened in April 2011.
He recently moved to
Lewisburg, Pa. with his wife
Sandy. Previously, they lived
in southern Md.
Prior to his stroke Greg
enjoyed, golfing, boating,
fishing, and learning about
small airplanes. He continues his interest in planes and
currently is building a remote control plane. Greg
has participated in golf clinGreg has been retired from
ics for individuals with a
the United States Immigrahandicap. He keeps himself
tion and Customs Enforcebusy with grandchildren,
ment Agency (ICE) for two
two dogs, a large yard and,
and a half years. He special- of course, attending the
ized in installing and maintain- Aphasia Center three days a
ing computer products used week!
by ICE agents. Greg suffered
a stroke in March of 2009,
Something most people don’t
just two months after his
know about Greg is that he
retirement.
served in Vietnam with the
army.
―Since starting at the Center
I no longer feel alone because
I have found friends who
understand, and we help each
other.‖
Wine Tasting Fund Raiser at Spyglass Ridge
The Aphasia Center is excited to announce
its first annual wine tasting fundraiser to be
held Saturday, October 22, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
at Spyglass Ridge Winery in Sunbury, Pa.
The evening will include wine tasting, dessert, live music, a 50/50 raffle, and an opportunity to learn more about us. Tickets are
$30 each. You must be 21 years old to
attend.
Please support the Central Pennsylvania
Aphasia Center by joining us for an enjoyable evening. Bring your spouse and bring
your over-21 friends and family members.
All are welcome!
You can purchase tickets by phone or email.
Call Robin Petrus at 570-284–4555 or email
us at [email protected]. Please
purchase your tickets by October 8, 2011.
Speaking Out
Page 3
Our Helping Hands
Members of the Center provide volunteer services to the community
Members of the Aphasia Center, Darryll Purnell and JoAnne Fisher, volunteered at the Danville SPCA September 6,
socializing the cats and kittens. Their tasks included petting, holding, and playing with the animals so they will be accustomed to being handled. A friendly kitty is more likely to be adopted! The SPCA appreciates the assistance of
volunteers, as they have many animals requiring care. Our members were glad to help.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Members of the Aphasia Center listed
questions they are frequently asked about
aphasia. In a group discussion facilitated by
a Speech-Language Pathologist they shared
responses to these questions:
Q:
A:




Does aphasia go away?
Members say ―no‖ but it gets
better.
there are good days and bad days
over the years you learn to cope and
learn to laugh again
the aphasia ―becomes a part of you,
like breathing‖
you can’t quit trying
Q:
How long does it take to get
better?
A:
Members say ―as long as it takes.‖
 recovery is a journey
 It’s different for everybody
Q:
A:







How can I help?
Members say don’t be afraid to
ask but ―ask me!‖
speak slowly
understand that sometimes we use
the wrong words
read aloud and explain paperwork
believe what we say and be encouraging
be patient – wait – let us try to communicate
focus on what we can do, not what
we can’t
speaking loudly doesn’t help
JoAnne Fisher (above) prepares to take a cat out of its cage for some much
appreciated TLC. Darryll Purnell (below) holds one of the cats Sept. 6 when
Aphasia Center members volunteered at the SPCA in Danville, Pa.
Page 4
Speaking Out
Fishing for Words . . . and finding them!
Articles written by members of the Central Pennsylvania Aphasia Center
A Young Person’s Perspective
“I need people to
take time to listen
to me. ”
I was still young when I had
my stroke. Even though I
look fine, I need people to
help me. If they don’t know,
ask ME, not my husband or
anyone else. I need people
to take time to listen to me.
People sometimes do not
believe me because I act
normal except for speaking.
Cat Therapy
Aphasia Fact:
Aphasia does not affect a
person’s intelligence. It
affects their ability to use
and process language.
My cats are entertaining.
Their names are Aerial,
Keely and Smokie. They
race through the house
chasing one another but
they never catch one another. They stare at me as if
they are going to teach me
something. It makes me
happy!
by Kim Reich
According to the American
Heart Association, 2.4% of
women ages 40-50 suffer
strokes. It’s important to
recognize that not everyone
who has a stroke is older.
Also, not everyone who has
a stroke has physical problems.
Coming to the Aphasia Center, it helps me a lot. I am
not alone. I was thinking I
could not do anything and
now I can!
by Nancy Messersmith
They have been like assistant
therapists because they
knock things over and I have
to pick the items up. My
cats are entertaining!
Remote Control Flying—Part II Airborne
To start out we need a field
large enough for the plane, a
map of the flight, wings on if
you have taken them off, and
any other setup you need for
takeoff, flight, and landing.
Next would be the touch and
go. This would be a practice
flight with takeoff and landing.
Landing Pattern Diagram
This would be on level grass
or cement take off and landing. Now let’s take off and
do some aerial maneuvers
and landing. Take off starts
at the beginning of the runway. You push the throttle
and take off the brakes. Just
after reaching take off speed
pull back on the stick.
You will go up to
altitude, about 800
feet, turn left, left
again to enter downwind.
by Greg Moroz
When you reach the start of
the runway, you want to slow
down. At 45 degrees you
want to turn left for base and
slow down a little more. The
next thing is turn left for final
approach. You should land at
the beginning of the runway.
Bring engine to landing speed
before you touch down, idle
after touchdown and stop
after you get off runway.
Keep doing this until you get
it down good.
Page 5
Speaking Out
by Darryll Purnell
Cycle Rebuild, Part I
I am working on a project with my son. We are
fixing up an old motorcycle together. We will find
information about the motorcycle design on the
computer. Then we will take it apart, clean and repair the parts. Then, I will show my son how to put
it together. This project will teach father and son to
work together, learning to
reach a common goal. We
will rebuild our relationship
while rebuilding the motorcycle.
Facing Aphasia
by JoAnne Fisher
At the Magee Rehabilitation in Philadelphia most of the
time I did not realize what was going on. I just knew
that the people there were helping me to relearn basic
skills and were keeping me safe while doing it. I totally
believe that God would never give me anything I could
not handle. Consequently, I knew this place was a safe
haven. Finally I progressed enough to go home. There
the real world hit me in the face. Quite a few people
there who did not understand aphasia unintentionally
hurt me by telling me to accept the way I was and that
I would never get any better. After a lot of quiet tears, I
just ignored them and would go forward. It was difficult
and I felt all alone. Yet, even on days when it would
have been easier to give up, I refused to stop trying,
especially with my speech.
Now I know that all of us with aphasia go through the
process of dealing with other people who do not understand the problems of speaking. It is wonderful that the
Aphasia Center in Danville, Pa. helps us to realize that
we are not alone. Instead of being overwhelmed and
wanting to give up we are able to handle it. We now
continue to grow and achieve our personal goal of
speaking better regardless of the difficulties we face.
We are becoming independent once again with our
lives. This is AWESOME!!!
by Forrest Leer
Nixon is Boss
My cat Nixon is a good pet. She is
two years old. Nixon is like a
human being. She does everything I
do.
she sits on the dresser and watches us get ready. She
follows me down the steps and hides under my walker.
When I sit she squeezes behind my back. She is sitting on
top of the furniture all the time. Nixon makes our home
feel complete.
I like when she sleeps on my chest
in the mornings. In the morning,
by All of Us
Members Top Ten: Fall Fun
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Thanksgiving
Fall foliage
Halloween parade
Vacations
Horse shows
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Bloomsburg Fair
Hiking
Horseback trail riding
Pumpkin pies
Apple picking
The Center’s Wish
List:
A bigger space
Office supplies
Wii
LED projector
Reference books
Music CDs
Come visit us!!
Board of Directors
Brian Crane, Esq.
Sandra Florent
Scott Oldfield, DrNP
Robin Petrus MS, CCC-SLP
Courtney Solomon, CPA
1904A Bloom Road
Danville, PA 17821
(570) 284-4555
[email protected]
www.aphasiacenterpa.org
Donations and Grants
With gratitude, we recognize the generosity of the
following donors who have
expressed their support for
the Center and its mission
by making monetary or inkind donations or grants.*
Individuals:
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Charles & Tina Bartholomew
Drs. John & Michele Bulger
Dr. & Mrs. Gregg Campbell
Elizabeth Caruthers
JoAnn Fisher Fakete
Sandy Florent
Jeff & Ginny Haney
Forrest & Kay Leer
Al & Candy Moroz
Drs. Timothy & Christen
Murphy
Brian Noell
Bruce & Kim Rankin
Gloria & Frank Schoepf
Edmund & Kathleen Sullivan
Barbara Wands
Brenda Wands
Businesses:
CVS
The Doctor’s Inn
Grants:
Cherokee Pharmaceuticals
*Gifts received between
June 1 and Sept. 15, 2011.
Donations in any amount are
welcomed and appreciated.
Checks should be made payable to the Central Pennsylvania Aphasia Center and
mailed to the Center at
1904A Bloom Rd., Danville,
PA 17821.
Honor someone special
by making a donation to the Center to help celebrate
a birthday, anniversary or other occasion, or by remembering a loved one with a memorial gift to the
Center.