The National Aphasia Association is a wonderful organization that supports the friends and families of people with aphasia, as well as the survivor. When someone loses his speech, it affects everyone in his life. The NAA's list of support groups is very valuable, and the small-but-mighty staff is always patient and knowledgable. With the country's aging population, and thousands of troops returning home with brain injuries, I only see this resource becoming more relevant and more essential for us all!
When my husband survived a serious stroke sixteen years ago, he was left without language or comprehension, and he was only 46. I came across National Aphasia through a reference in a stroke info book and called. (I had already called American Heart and National Stroke, and their help was more general to stroke.) I was so comforted by the woman on the phone, who's husband had suffered the same loss, and the materials they sent. As a result of their good work, I became active in the Aphasia Community, and started the only support group in Indianapolis, IN for aphasia. Because of them, I was led to more specific therapies for my husband's recovery, and though very different, he has a high quality of life. They regularly have small conventions around the country to help people with aphasia adjust and learn more about their disorder. Being able to communicate is like breathing. They are the only association I am aware of devoted solely to Aphasia.
Previous Stories
When my 46 year old husband suffered a stroke, National Aphasia was the one agency that provided pertinent information and consolation.
I found this resource in the back of a book about stroke. The personal, caring way they reach out with every phone call speaks volumes about this wonderful organization. Aphasia affects more people than Parkinson's Disease, but few people have every heard of it. National Aphasia works to bring knowledge, acceptance and support to our communities. The work they do is so important, and so unrecognized. I have been in the Aphasia Community since 1996, and since started a support group. Without them, we could not enjoy the success we have.
As a volunteer in the Aphasia community, and as a registered nurse, I sincerely support the work this organizations does.
As a Speech-Language Pathologist, I have seen first hand how the NAA has helped many of my clients and their families. What a great resource for those who knew nothing about aphasia until it totally changed their lives.
I love the NAA website!! It's user-friendly. It provides valuable information to professionals, persons with aphasia and their loved ones as well the public. It's been a great resource to me and I appreciate the many volunteers who spend countless dedicated hours to keep the site updated and informative. Thanks NAA!! You do so much for so many!!
The NAA supports organizations all over the country in their advocacy and service to individuals with aphasia and their families. They are fully committed to the cause and connect all service providers with objectivity and inclusion. The NAA has provided our small nonprofit organization in NC with materials, educational resources and the like.
The National Aphasia Association was created in direct response to a great need to speak for a group of individuals who, literally, cannot speak at all for themselves or cannot effectively get their message out or access others in regard to a critical need for support. Persons with aphasia have experienced throughout their "pre-Aphasia" life the ability to communicate normally - to sit around the family table and tell stories, to read to their children, to give speeches or lectures, to order at a drive-through, to verbally express their affection for someone, to read a book or write a letter. Then, usually with a swift "brain attack" those taken-for-granted abilities are taken away or decreased significantly. The NAA was organized to provide advocacy with governmental agencies, healthcare providers, and other influential entities. We wanted to educate the public in general about aphasia and to let persons with aphasia and their families and friends have easy access to educational materials, provider lists, recommendations for improving communication, and ways they could also help each other. Though a small organization, it has touched the lives of thousands of people with aphasia, their families and healthcare professionals. With a meager budget and a lot of determination, a small group of dedicated advocates started an organization which has been amazingly effective in getting "the words" out about the dilemma and the needs of those lacking words to express it themselves. Funds have been raised, educational materials have been developed, easily accessed volunteer professionals have been made available for contact, and community groups have been organized for enhancing communication skills and supporting families. There is much work to be done but the story of NAA is a true wonder and deserves to be told.
I don't know where I would be without the NAA. My father has global aphasia from a stroke 6 years ago and has been living with this condition ever since. THere are not many resources out there for individuals with aphasia and their caregivers, and even fewer support networks. This is what makes the NAA so vital to all of us.
When a loved one loses language due to a stroke or head injury, it is quite frightening for family members to watch. Sometimes professionals have given the same information to patients so often that families are not given the time needed to process infromation before having to make decisions. So, families remain confused aboput what is happening to the family member with aphasia. The National Aphasia Association provides professionals and family members to assist families and patients who are trying to understand aphasia. There are representatives in every state in the United States, so finding people who can understand and relate to an individual's situation and resources is very possible. With the up-to-date resources contained at the NAA website as well as via NAA meetings across the country, volunteers can be sure to give families and patients current information in a compassionate, knowledgeable manner.
The National Aphasia Association [NAA] has for many years steadfastly led the advocacy efforts for people with aphasia [People With Aphasia] and their caregivers. In addition, the NAA has provided information; workshops and materials to educate both PWA, their caregivers and the public that has been invaluable in advancing independence, recovery and reintegration. The NAA programs for educating public employees in more effective communication with PWA and for serving multicultural clients changed lives.
This is the premier organization at the national level to help educate and support both the public and persons with aphasia. This organization has an amazing amount of information available to help those with aphasia. I had a client with aphasia who had gotten into legal trouble because the authorities would not read her Aphasia Card and didn't understand her condition. The NAA provided me with several articles and rulings about persons with aphasia and legal issues that I gave to my client. The NAA campaigns relentlessly to get the public to know more about aphasia. One of the best services they provide are hand-outs: stickers, aphasia cards, brochures, books, and other materials that educate about aphasia and provide a means for persons with aphasia to communicate in a pinch.
The National Aphasia association remains the only unified voice for those with aphasia, serving to educate and support people across the country and even overseas. While it delivers no direct therapy service, it helps people learn about what services are available to assist them in recovery and adjustment to life with persisting communication challenges.
This organization was formed just 2 decades ago, but due to its unique Mission (advocacy for individuals with aphasia and their caregivers) the association has steadily expanded its outreach and influence across the country. On a small budget and with a small but might staff, the NAA reaches out both to professionals with interests in aphasia (speech-language pathologists, neurologists, psychologists, social workers, etc) and individuals with aphasia across the country. The NAA holds semi annual regional and national "Speaking Out!" conferences, publishes a quarterly newsletter, maintains an "aphasia-friendly" website, distributes an excellent Aphasia Handbook, and provides support for community groups across the country.
The National Aphasia Association is a direct link to communication advocacy. I volunteer for this association because it has all the right resources at all the right times. The web resources are fantastic. When people lose their communication, the NAA and it's many volunteers are the key to unlocking doors to independence in meeting necessary and social needs and helping those individuals maintain dignity.