July 27 & July 28, 2015, Hammond, LA. -I spoke to two presentations in the area; one with the Stroke Clinic Support Group at the North Oaks Hospital including the Stroke Team group, members of the support group as well as other clinicians. I spoke the next day at the Southeastern Louisiana University to the masters students in Dr. Meghan Savage’s classes with a large group of students and clinicians. Four states now include MA, FL, OK and LA…4 down, 46 to go!
July 22, 2015, Boulder, CO-I met with Paula Messamer and Nick Meier who were members of the Brain Buddy Board, a 501 (3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping those affected by aphasia. I gave my book, Stroke Diary, to both of them and discussed how we can work together in the future. I will be making a poster presentation at the ASHA National Convention in Denver, CO this November so we will meet again!
July 15, 2015, Salina, KS-I spoke with Kathy Pike, the Director of Organizational Development at the Salina Regional Health Center at Salina, KS. I gave Kathy my book and explained my story of Stroke Diary. They have a 13 bed rehabilitation unit with Speech Therapy services. They are moving towards becoming a Primary Stroke Center as a resource in their region and hope to become accredited by summer, 2016. Hopefully I will see them again next summer!
July 9, 2015—I spoke with Karen Copeland, the Therapy Coordinator at the Bernsen Rehabilitation Center and about 25 people at the St. John Aphasia Support Group at the St. John Medical Center, in Tulsa, OK. It was a fantastic group with great questions about aphasia, plasticity and the power of the brain to fix itself!
June 30, 2015—Spoke to a class of Speech Language Pathology masters students as a guest lecturer in Dr. Janet Whiteside’s course at UCF, Orlando, FL.
June 30, 2015—Presented to the Aphasia House Intensive Therapy program with staff and stroke survivors at the Aphasia House in Orlando, FL.
June 20, 2015—Attended the movie, Aphasia, The Movie by Carl McIntyre who spoke to a full crowd after the movie. Presented Carl with my book, Stroke Diary. It was sponsored brain Reconnect, Inc. at the Ritz Theater in Brunswick, GA.
June 9, 2015—Presented at the Hippodrome in Gainesville, FL as part of Aphasia Month sponsored by the Aphasia Book Club at UF/Shands.
May 26, 2015—Spoke at the River House Library, in St. Augustine, FL as part of Stroke Month sponsored by BayView and the Council on Aging.
May 20, 2015—Participated with Stroke/Baptist Health Hospital presentation as part of Stroke Month by St. Augustine Chamber of Commerce in Ponte Vedra, FL.
May 19, 2015—Was interviewed by 102.1 WFOY Newstalk as part of Stroke Month in St. Augustine, FL.
May 18, 2015—Spoke to the quarterly meeting of the Hospital Auxiliary at the Florida Hospital Flagler hosted by the Association President and the Director of the Florida Hospital Foundation, in Palm Coast, FL.
May 16, 2015—Participated as part of the Stroke Health Fair with Brooks Rehab and Mayo Hospital at The Avenues Mall in Jacksonville, FL.
May 15, 2015—Spoke to a full house of hospital staff, volunteers and the public as part of Stroke Month at the Osceola Conference Room at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine, Florida.
April 17, 2015–Met with Janet Whiteside, the founder and Executive Director of Aphasia House and spoke with clients, staff, masters students and visitors about my experience with my stroke and aphasia at the Aphasia House, UCF, Orlando, FL.
April 15, 2015—Spoke to 9, 10, 11 and 12 grade students from the Medical Academy, Pedro Menendez High School, St. Augustine, Florida.
March 12, 2015—Participated in the inaugural conference for Aphasia Access Conference in Boston, MA.
March 9, 2015— Spoke to the Better Breathing Club including COPD, American Lung Association members at the Flagler Hospital Wellness Center.