{"id":913,"date":"2019-03-11T14:28:01","date_gmt":"2019-03-11T14:28:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/?page_id=913"},"modified":"2025-12-18T14:38:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T19:38:00","slug":"news","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/news\/","title":{"rendered":"News"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"913\" class=\"elementor elementor-913\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-96790fe elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"96790fe\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cb4dc6a\" data-id=\"cb4dc6a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c4f7313 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c4f7313\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Recent Newsletters<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6a4d635 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6a4d635\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b597e20\" data-id=\"b597e20\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b898428 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b898428\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-53cc9f9\" data-id=\"53cc9f9\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67f21f1 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"67f21f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-90ff406 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"90ff406\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-b4dc652\" data-id=\"b4dc652\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0010a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"e0010a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-lg\" href=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Fall-2025-Aphasia-Lab-Newsletter.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-comments\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 192c0-88.4-93.1-160-208-160S0 103.6 0 192c0 34.3 14.1 65.9 38 92-13.4 30.2-35.5 54.2-35.8 54.5-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7S4.8 352 8 352c36.6 0 66.9-12.3 88.7-25 32.2 15.7 70.3 25 111.3 25 114.9 0 208-71.6 208-160zm122 220c23.9-26 38-57.7 38-92 0-66.9-53.5-124.2-129.3-148.1.9 6.6 1.3 13.3 1.3 20.1 0 105.9-107.7 192-240 192-10.8 0-21.3-.8-31.7-1.9C207.8 439.6 281.8 480 368 480c41 0 79.1-9.2 111.3-25 21.8 12.7 52.1 25 88.7 25 3.2 0 6.1-1.9 7.3-4.8 1.3-2.9.7-6.3-1.5-8.7-.3-.3-22.4-24.2-35.8-54.5z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Latest Newsletter!<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-44542cc\" data-id=\"44542cc\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d036904 elementor-widget elementor-widget-toggle\" data-id=\"d036904\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"toggle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2181\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2181\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-folder\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M464 128H272l-64-64H48C21.49 64 0 85.49 0 112v288c0 26.51 21.49 48 48 48h416c26.51 0 48-21.49 48-48V176c0-26.51-21.49-48-48-48z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened e-font-icon-svg e-fas-folder-open\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M572.694 292.093L500.27 416.248A63.997 63.997 0 0 1 444.989 448H45.025c-18.523 0-30.064-20.093-20.731-36.093l72.424-124.155A64 64 0 0 1 152 256h399.964c18.523 0 30.064 20.093 20.73 36.093zM152 224h328v-48c0-26.51-21.49-48-48-48H272l-64-64H48C21.49 64 0 85.49 0 112v278.046l69.077-118.418C86.214 242.25 117.989 224 152 224z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Archived Newsletters<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2181\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2181\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/USC-Aphasia-Lab_Summer-2025-Newsletter.pdf\">Summer 2025 Newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Spring-2025-Newsletter.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Spring 2025 Newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Fall-2024-Aphasia-Lab-Newsletter-1-compressed.pdf\">Fall 2024 Newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Summer-2024-Aphasia-Lab-Newsletter.pdf\">Summer 2024 Newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Spring-2024-Aphasia-Lab-Newsletter-4.pdf\">Spring 2024 Newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Fall-2023-Newsletter-3.pdf\">Fall 2023 Newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Summer-2023-Newsletter-3.pdf\">Summer 2023 Newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Spring_2023_Newsletter.pdf\">Spring 2023 Newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Fall_2022_Newsletter.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fall 2022 Newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Summer_2022_Newsletter.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Summer 2022 Newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Spring_2022_Newsletter.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Spring 2022 Newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/fall_2021_newsletter.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fall 2021 Newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Summer_2021_Newsletter.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Summer 2021 Newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Summer_2021_Newsletter.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Summer 2021 Newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Fall_2020_Newsletter_Final.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fall 2020 Newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Summer_2020_Newsletter_Final.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Summer 2020 Newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Spring-2020-Newsletter-Final.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Spring 2020 Newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/s\/fout77c0mdl2462\/Fall%202019%20Final.pdf?dl=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fall 2019 Newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/s\/gvsxvw33xtd4hw8\/FINAL%20SUMMER%202019%5B1%5D.pdf?dl=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Summer 2019 Newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/s\/gqklijnpwv0swot\/FINAL Spring 2019 Newsletter%5B1%5D.pdf?dl=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Spring 2019 Newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Summer-2018-Newsletter.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Summer 2018 newsletter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/s\/l16w5zf2qpfmlqa\/Winter 2018 Newsletter.pdf?dl=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Winter 2018 newsletter<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-de9ba6a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"de9ba6a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f3bc20f\" data-id=\"f3bc20f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56fc82f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"56fc82f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Community Events and Programs<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-18815fc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"18815fc\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b474a32\" data-id=\"b474a32\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c69274d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c69274d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Each spring we host our annual Community Aphasia Event (ACE) to bring our community together. This event is open to participants with aphasia, care partners, local rehab professionals, and anyone in the community who is interested in learning more about aphasia. At the event, we have invited speakers, resource tables, research updates, food, and time to connect with each other.<br \/><br \/>Our past ACE events have included:<br \/>2017- Tom Broussard (author of \u201cStroke Diary\u201d and person with aphasia)<br \/>2018- Audrey Holland (SLP, aphasia researcher)<br \/>2019- Carl McIntyre (producer and person with aphasia)<br \/>2021- Debra Meyerson (author of \u201cIdentity Theft\u201d and person with aphasia) &amp; Steve Zuckerman (care partner)<br \/>2022- Argye Hillis (neurologist and SLP) Theme: \u201cLiving Well with Aphasia\u201d<br \/>2023- Simon Barton (author of \u201cBad Rhymes, No Reason\u201d and stroke survivor); Theme: \u201cGrowing Together\u201d<br \/>2024- Jeffrey Fisher (author of \u201cNever Give Up\u201d and person with aphasia), Dr. Elizabeth Regan (PT and researcher); Theme: \u201cLight up your Life!\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-55317e4\" data-id=\"55317e4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-674b75e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"674b75e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><strong>View the 2024 Virtual Aphasia Community Event Video<\/strong><\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e38fad elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"5e38fad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" 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data-elementor-lightbox=\"{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;video&quot;,&quot;videoType&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/embed\\\/OHpA_RqMgRE?feature=oembed&amp;start&amp;end&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;loop=0&amp;controls=1&amp;mute=0&amp;rel=0&amp;cc_load_policy=0&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;modalOptions&quot;:{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;elementor-lightbox-5e38fad&quot;,&quot;entranceAnimation&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;entranceAnimation_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;entranceAnimation_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;videoAspectRatio&quot;:&quot;169&quot;}}\" 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elementor-element-827c318 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"827c318\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e57f53e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e57f53e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9dcb8d8\" data-id=\"9dcb8d8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0afc4c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0afc4c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><strong>View the Aphasia Ambassadors Video<\/strong><\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e4ab2a elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"8e4ab2a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" 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data-elementor-lightbox=\"{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;video&quot;,&quot;videoType&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/embed\\\/G9eQ75tjUZE?feature=oembed&amp;start&amp;end&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;loop=0&amp;controls=1&amp;mute=0&amp;rel=0&amp;cc_load_policy=0&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;modalOptions&quot;:{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;elementor-lightbox-8e4ab2a&quot;,&quot;entranceAnimation&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;entranceAnimation_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;entranceAnimation_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;videoAspectRatio&quot;:&quot;169&quot;}}\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJ0eXBlIjoidmlkZW8iLCJ2aWRlb1R5cGUiOiJ5b3V0dWJlIiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbVwvZW1iZWRcL0c5ZVE3NXRqVVpFP2ZlYXR1cmU9b2VtYmVkJnN0YXJ0JmVuZCZ3bW9kZT1vcGFxdWUmbG9vcD0wJmNvbnRyb2xzPTEmbXV0ZT0wJnJlbD0wJmNjX2xvYWRfcG9saWN5PTAiLCJhdXRvcGxheSI6IiIsIm1vZGFsT3B0aW9ucyI6eyJpZCI6ImVsZW1lbnRvci1saWdodGJveC04ZTRhYjJhIiwiZW50cmFuY2VBbmltYXRpb24iOiIiLCJlbnRyYW5jZUFuaW1hdGlvbl90YWJsZXQiOiIiLCJlbnRyYW5jZUFuaW1hdGlvbl9tb2JpbGUiOiIiLCJ2aWRlb0FzcGVjdFJhdGlvIjoiMTY5In19\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1119\" height=\"661\" src=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Screen-Shot-2024-06-04-at-12.00.48-PM.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2288\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Screen-Shot-2024-06-04-at-12.00.48-PM.png 1119w, https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Screen-Shot-2024-06-04-at-12.00.48-PM-300x177.png 300w, https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Screen-Shot-2024-06-04-at-12.00.48-PM-1024x605.png 1024w, https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Screen-Shot-2024-06-04-at-12.00.48-PM-768x454.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1119px) 100vw, 1119px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-custom-embed-play\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Play Video\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-play\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M838 162C746 71 633 25 500 25 371 25 258 71 163 162 71 254 25 367 25 500 25 633 71 746 163 837 254 929 367 979 500 979 633 979 746 933 838 837 929 746 975 633 975 500 975 367 929 254 838 162M808 192C892 279 933 379 933 500 933 621 892 725 808 808 725 892 621 938 500 938 379 938 279 896 196 808 113 725 67 621 67 500 67 379 108 279 196 192 279 108 383 62 500 62 621 62 721 108 808 192M438 392V642L642 517 438 392Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-91820c4\" data-id=\"91820c4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-edd4a29 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"edd4a29\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Aphasia Ambassadors Program here at the University of South Carolina\u2019s Center for the Study of Aphasia Recovery is a supportive community dedicated to assisting individuals through their stroke recovery journey. Our ambassadors have experienced aphasia themselves and understand the isolating challenges that often accompany stroke rehabilitation.<br \/><br \/>In our program, we provide tools and resources to our ambassadors so they can offer guidance, support and hope to fellow stroke survivors. Our mission is simple yet profound &#8212; to empower others, promote hope and increase quality of life.<br \/><br \/>If you are interested in connecting with our ambassadors, becoming an ambassador, or setting up a speaking engagement, please complete our interest survey: <a href=\"https:\/\/redcap.link\/USCAphasiaAmbassadors\">https:\/\/redcap.link\/USCAphasiaAmbassadors<\/a>.<\/p><p>In the Aphasia Ambassadors Program, we believe that no one should face stroke recovery alone.<\/p><p>Phone:\u00a0(803) 777-2693<strong><br \/>Email:\u00a0<\/strong> <a href=\"mailto:ssayers@mailbox.sc.edu\">ssayers@mailbox.sc.edu<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d67a7b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0d67a7b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9482b42 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9482b42\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Post-Stroke Aphasia and Employment<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9abf04 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b9abf04\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8279086 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8279086\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Post-stroke aphasia is a language disorder caused by damage to brain regions underlying speech and language functions. Aphasia is a common disorder that can greatly impact a person&#8217;s communication skills, though it does not affect their overall intelligence. Each individual with post-stroke aphasia follows their own unique path to recovery. During the recovery process there will be goals towards improving functional communication abilities, physical abilities, independence with daily living and re-integration into social activities and the community, often with the support of family, friends, and caregivers. With improved confidence, abilities, and independence, many desire to return to the job market, whether it is to a previous role or new path of employment. Factors such as personal communication challenges, physical abilities, support system, fatigue, and lack of public awareness can create barriers with returning to the workforce. In this article, we share the stories of three young stroke survivors with aphasia and their experiences with returning to work, highlighting factors that facilitated or hindered their efforts to return to work.<\/p><p><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; text-align: var(--text-align);\"><i style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Interviewees<\/i><\/span><\/p><p>Our first interviewee, Leslie Simpson, is a lobbyist for the South Carolina Association of Counties. At 39 years of age, Leslie had a left hemispheric stroke due to a blood clot in the brain in February of 2021. She was diagnosed with aphasia, which greatly affected her ability to speak, and experienced impaired memory function. Previously, Leslie relied on her ability to communicate quickly and effectively to perform her role as a lobbyist, but after her stroke, she was forced to adapt to foreign reality. Our second interviewee, Shawn Corley, had a stroke in April of 2019. At 42 years of age, a massive blood clot in the brain ultimately resulted in aphasia. Before his stroke, Shawn was a bartender at a local arts bar, where he engaged with costumers, mixed beverages, and managed transactions, but like Leslie, he was left to navigate a new sense of normalcy. Our third and last interviewee, Charles Nottingham, similarly had a stroke in his early 40s in April of 2016. His stroke left him with right side mobility impairments and aphasia. Charles owned his own trucking business prior to his stroke, requiring him to hire and manage multiple truck drivers and manage finances. This role demanded both strong decision-making skills and hands-on involvement, which proved to be a challenge early on after his aphasia diagnosis. Despite different backgrounds, Leslie, Shawn, and Charles shared a common desire to return to work. Their insights are discussed below.<br \/><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; text-align: var(--text-align);\"><br \/><i style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Determination and Self-Advocacy Attributed to Success<\/i><\/span><\/p><p>Initially, after Leslie had her stroke, she was only able to say four words. This greatly impacted her ability to execute various tasks. From the start of her recovery, Leslie was determined to get back to her original job. She advocated for her needs among her peers and medical staff. When she did not feel challenged by her speech therapist, she immediately found another. She took time on her own to research her diagnosis and hone her skills. When she learned new speech therapy exercises that were tailored to her job as a lobbyist, Leslie studied and practiced the techniques outside of therapy. As a general philosophy, Leslie approached her recovery in the same way she had prepared for her bar exam as a student, and told herself that she only had one option: to recover.<\/p><figure id=\"attachment_2444\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2444\" style=\"width: 161px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2444 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Leslie-161x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"161\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Leslie-161x300.jpg 161w, https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Leslie-550x1024.jpg 550w, https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Leslie-768x1430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Leslie-825x1536.jpg 825w, https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Leslie.jpg 1051w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 161px) 100vw, 161px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2444\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Leslie Simpson is a lobbyist for the South Carolina Association of Counties. She had a stroke in February of 2021.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><p>After Shawn had his stroke, he realized he would not be able to return to bartending. At least not his pre-stroke position. He experienced mental fatigue, and difficulty with recalling words and use of numbers. He took the initiative to pursue another role at his job and he was able to integrate his previous role as a bartender into a new managerial role. Shawn had a strong connection to his workplace, so he wanted to do whatever he could to continue his work there. He took his recovery seriously and purchased workbooks to strengthen his cognitive and communication abilities. He specifically worked on word retrieval and the clarity of his speech. He was persistent in practicing communication with others and staying engaged in conversation. When he was initially told he might never speak again, Shawn was committed to surpassing his prognosis. As a result of his persistence, he is currently working with inventory, making sure everything is stocked, and ordering supplies when needed.<\/p><figure id=\"attachment_2445\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2445\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2445 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Charles-300x292.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"292\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Charles-300x292.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Charles-1024x997.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Charles-768x747.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Charles.jpg 1415w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2445\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Charles Nottingham ran his own truck business. He had a stroke in April of 2016.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Charles\u2019 situation was different from Leslie\u2019s and Shawn\u2019s as he owned his own business, which often required him to juggle multiple roles at once. However, after his stroke, Charles was unable to keep his business afloat and he was forced to let go of his work staff. He began his recovery by attending a rehabilitation camp designed to help stroke survivors adapt to their new abilities. There, he learned how to regain daily functioning through structured guidance on how to adapt to life post-stroke. To this day, Charles attends speech therapy multiple times a week, working on exercises designed to help him regain independence. He also attends community-based aphasia groups, established to help people with aphasia meet each other and work towards common goals, and participates in the drama group \u201cPlay on Words\u201d at the University of South Carolina, where he performs plays and improv with other individuals with aphasia to improve communication confidence. Nonetheless, despite his efforts, Charles has struggled with securing long-term employment.<\/p><p><strong><em>Support from Family and Employers is Important <\/em><\/strong><\/p><p>Leslie\u2019s role as a lobbyist enabled her to be surrounded by individuals who knew her on a personal and professional level. She received critical support from her coworkers and employer after her stroke. Her coworkers did their best to shield her from stressful situations, giving her the time and space to recover without worry. Her employer allowed her to continue working at her job but accommodated her needs by temporarily reducing her workload. Eventually, with support, Leslie\u2019s progressive recovery enabled her to return to her original job. She attributes her success to the continued hard work, determination, and, last but not least, a strong support network.<\/p><p>Shortly after his stroke, Shawn was worried he would not be able to return to his workplace. He had made many friends and felt connected to his position. Shawn\u2019s coworkers were incredibly supportive, organizing fundraisers to help cover his medical expenses, get access to speech therapy, and ensuring he felt comfortable as he took on a new role. His employer was accommodating by adjusting his schedule, his role and communication needs to ensure that he could be successful in his position. Shawn also had support from his girlfriend, who played a key role in his recovery journey. She was able to support him emotionally, while he found a sense of normalcy post-stroke. With his personal life and work support system, Shawn was able to maintain an important role at the bar where he had served for twenty-two years in an uplifting and encouraging environment.<\/p><figure id=\"attachment_2446\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2446\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2446 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Shawn-300x300.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Shawn-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Shawn-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Shawn-400x400.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Shawn-100x100.jpeg 100w, https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Shawn.jpeg 763w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2446\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Shawn Corley is a manager at a local art bar. He had a stroke in April of 2019.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Early on in his recovery, Charles interviewed for many jobs and faced multiple rejections. As his own boss prior to stroke, he was not able to transition into a less demanding role until he was further into his recovery. He eventually secured a job with Door Dash, and throughout his recovery, he continued to try to find a job that would sustain him financially in the long run. The employers Charles interviewed with lacked a relationship with him. Therefore, they did not feel obligated to support or accommodate him during his recovery. They also lacked knowledge about aphasia and were unable\u2014or unwilling\u2014to find ways to support him. On this trying journey, Charles found support in his mother, daughter, and son. Although he did not receive the support he needed from his job, he found emotional support in his family.<\/p><p><strong><em>Different Experiences Lead to Different Outcomes<\/em><\/strong><\/p><p>Leslie, Shawn, and Charles are all capable of re-entering the workforce. They underwent extensive rehabilitation and went above and beyond in their efforts to recover. Leslie and Shawn were able to return to their original jobs due to the support they received (and their undeterred hard work); their work environment adapted to their needs and their roles were temporarily flexible. On the other hand, as his own boss, Charles lacked support from an employer and struggled to re-integrate into the workforce. Not for a lack of trying and certainly not due to lack of hard work, Charles\u2019 struggle with securing employment may be largely owed to lack of awareness of what aphasia is and, equally importantly, what it is not.<\/p><p>While each story is unique, they echo a common theme: It\u2019s not only about resilience, hard work, and determination. It\u2019s also about lack of awareness and knowledge about aphasia. Individuals living with aphasia may have the ability and qualifications to return to work in a modified capacity; however, employers must be willing to accommodate any communication or physical barriers. In this context, a lack of knowledge may result in missed opportunities to employ highly capable individuals. Increasing awareness of aphasia and its implications for employment is instrumental and the reward is worth the effort: The opportunity to work and the promise of job security offers individuals with aphasia, and their families, a means to an end, a meaningful role in life, and improved quality of life. By extension, it positively enriches our shared community.<\/p><p><strong>Authors:<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Kara Willis, Research Volunteer in the USC Aphasia Lab<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Sarah Katon, Graduate Research Assistant in the USC Aphasia Lab<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Dr. Sigfus Kristinsson, Assistant Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders, USC<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a234c2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8a234c2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Archive<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38f6e42 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"38f6e42\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8bb7089 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"8bb7089\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1460\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1460\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Aphasia Spotlight <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1460\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-951f6c8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"951f6c8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb0f176 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"eb0f176\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Featured Person with Aphasia - George Collins<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec74cd9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ec74cd9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1860 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/george1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"George standing with his wife in the woods\" width=\"324\" height=\"243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/george1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/george1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/george1.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 324px) 100vw, 324px\" \/><\/p><p><strong>Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?<\/strong><br \/>\u201cI was born and raised in New Hampshire and at age 17 I decided to enter the Army. In the Army, I was both a trained medic and paratrooper. After three years I decided that I wanted to go back to college and become a Physician\u2019s Assistant. Soon after, I met my wife Shellie and married her in 1991. I worked as a PA for ten years in orthopedics and eventually moved to Charlotte, NC where I currently reside. Shellie and I have two sons, Brian and Matthew.\u201d<\/p><p><strong>Can you share with us a brief story about your stroke journey?<\/strong><br \/>\u201cI love to exercise and have always been very healthy. At the time, I was training for my first marathon. Six days before my marathon I started noticing swelling in my left calf. It turned out that I had a DVT blood clot and was later diagnosed with Factor V Leiden. I continued to train for marathons following my diagnosis. In 2018, I decided to take a long bike ride for exercise. Later that day, following my ride, I had my stroke that would also lead to a diagnosis of aphasia. I notice the side effects of my stroke on a regular basis. Although life is different, I am grateful for the chance at recovery and for support I receive from my family and friends at the Aphasia Lab.\u201d<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-1861 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/george2-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of George in a chair\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/george2-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/george2-769x1024.jpg 769w, https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/george2-768x1022.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.asph.sc.edu\/aphasia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/george2.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/p><p><strong>How did you find out about the Aphasia Lab?<\/strong><br \/>\u201cI feel that there is not enough awareness surrounding aphasia. While researching the disorder in search of more information, my wife, Shellie, stumbled upon the Aphasia Lab online.\u201d<\/p><p><strong>How long have you been involved with the Aphasia Lab?<\/strong><br \/>\u201cI have been a part of the Aphasia Lab since September 2019.\u201d<\/p><p><strong>In what ways have you become involved at the Aphasia Lab?<\/strong><br \/>\u201cI have been a part of the POLAR study at the Aphasia Lab, along with several others. I also participate in weekly Zoom group sessions, a weekly reading group, and a monthly luncheon with lab members and other participants.\u201d<\/p><p><strong>What is your favorite part about the Aphasia Lab?<\/strong><br \/>\u201cI enjoy being able to get to know and communicate with other participants at the lab with an aphasia diagnosis. It also provides me with a comfortable environment for practicing my speech, which is extremely beneficial to recovery.\u201d<\/p><p><strong>How has the Aphasia Lab impacted your recovery?<\/strong><br \/>\u201cHaving a community of people I can rely on is one of the biggest ways that the Aphasia Lab has impacted my recovery. It is very important to have people who also have aphasia that you can relate to and rely on.\u201d<\/p><p><strong>Have you met people or made friends through the Aphasia Lab?<\/strong><br \/>\u201cI have met many friends through the Aphasia Lab! I particularly enjoy getting to communicate with others, even if it is via Zoom.\u201d<\/p><p><strong>What advice would you give to someone who is just beginning their journey with aphasia?<\/strong><br \/>\u201cHaving someone who is there for constant love and support in your life is a crucial part of recovering from and living with aphasia. I have so much gratitude for my wife Shelley. Additionally, finding someone who can act as a mentor within the aphasia community can be beneficial to recovery. It can also make understanding your diagnosis with aphasia easier.\u201d<\/p><p><strong>Is there anything else that you would like to share?<\/strong><br \/>\u201cWith aphasia, practice makes perfect! It is very important to use speech regularly regardless of your level of impairment. I cannot stress enough how grateful I am to be in good health following my stroke.\u201d<\/p><p><strong>George is extremely positive and grateful for the opportunity for recovery! His uplifting spirit is truly admirable following his stroke and aphasia diagnosis.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Recent Newsletters Latest Newsletter! 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