My Nonprofit Reviews

My wife suffered a life changing stroke in June of 2005 that left her with a debilitating affliction known as aphasia, the loss of speech. From the first day that we learned of this problem we were told about the Aphasia Center here in Midland, Texas, one of only a handful in the United States. We, and I say that because it is not only a place for the folks with aphasia to go but also a place for family members to go for support that other agencies cannot offer. The center offers a computer class, art class, book club, conversation group (remember, these are people who have lost the ability to speak, not their intellect), as well as local field trips. A couple of the trips were to see the Titanic exhibit at the Science Spectrum in Lubbock, Texas, another was to the Windmill museum also in Lubbock, Texas. The center offers classes four days a week, my wife attends all four days, has a wheel chair lift van with a driver that picks up clients in the mornings and also takes them back home in the afternoon. The West Texas Aphasia Center also has a speech therapist on staff to help not only with regaining speech but to help clients learn other ways of communication such as drawing, using electronic devises that are aphasia friendly, writing, and even getting up and showing what they are trying to get across. A favorite among the members is the raised garden that was designed by local master gardeners that allows them to work a garden that is wheel chair compatible where there is no bending or kneeling required. They have grown squash, tomatoes, jalapenos, okra, zucchini, just to name a few, along with some of the prettiest flowers in town. On the third Friday of every month the Aphasia Center offers a Friends and Family support group for clients families and care givers. This is a time to discuss the ups and downs we each had during the previous month as well as offer support to each other, especially to families that are new to aphasia. In closing I would like to thank the staff of the West Texas Aphasia Center for the time and effort they give each day to the members and clients they so wonderfully serve. a.pha.sia (uh-fay'-zhuh) n. An impairment of the ability to use or comprehend words, usually acquired as a result of a stroke or other brain injury.

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