Personal Note from the Editor:
What's your approach to your aphasia? Have you accepted your limitations or are you working every day on your speech and your writing?
A recent newsletter from The Aphasia Center contemplated the "4 reasons that your doctor may tell you there is no hope" for your aphasia recovery. Dr Lori Bartels-Tobin, the CEO at The Aphasia Center , an intensive aphasia program located in St Petersburg, discussed why doctors may say that:
1/ Your doctor forms an opinion about you and your recovery potential during a very short visit.
2/ Your doctors and other medical professionals may have a different view of progress and quality of life.
3/ Medical professionals are not necessarily up on the latest aphasia research.
4/ Some medical professionals still believe that aphasia recovery is limited.
I have first-hand experience for comment # 4. When I had my stroke in October 2010, my neurologist and speech language pathologist told me and my family that I should not expect to get any better. They both restated the comment that aphasia recovery is limited, that if you're not better with the first 6 to 9 months, then there is no hope for recovery
By working with Bill Connors and Aphasiatoolbox, I know better.
I worked with Bill from August 2011 through September 2012. I'm now working as an Aphasia Practice Coach with other people with aphasia who are travelling their own pathway to recovery.
We have seen research which shows that an aggressive approach to practice and therapy yields greater results. We know that neuroplasticity works.
Where do you want to be with your recovery?
