When my dad had his stroke, his career, his ability to drive, read, write or speak normally all vanished. Insurance ran out so fast as we both faced a dismal and frustrating future. Then the people of West Texas rallied to create a place where my dad could connect with other people coping with aphasia. We both learned new communication strategies. What a relief that the Aphasia Center of West Texas gave BOTH of us a life filled with activity, friendship and purpose.

When I first found my birthfamily, I needed a safe place to process the roller coaster of emotions. As a founder of AKA, I yearned to hear first-hand perspectives from ALL parts of the triad. Hearing enlightened professionals and the experiences of others helped me contextualize my own story within this life-long and ever changing experience of adoption. Now it is many years later and I still find AKA a solid and skilled place to be with friends who "get me."