Open house at Unified Clinics to spread awareness about aphasia
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—A Western Michigan University open house is planned later this month at the Unified Clinics Building on Oakland Drive to draw attention to aphasia, a common communication disorder.
The Aphasia Communication Enhancement Program—ACE—in the WMU Charles Van Riper Language, Speech and Hearing Clinic is observing National Aphasia Awareness Month in June by hosting the open house from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, on the fourth floor of the Unified Clinics located at 1000 Oakland Drive. The event, which is free and open to the public, will include light refreshments, brief interactive entertainment, information and conversations among program participants and community members. Those planning to attend the event are asked to leave a message at (269) 387-7308.
About aphasia
Aphasia affects a person's ability to use and process speech, with about two million Americans living with it and upwards of 80,000 Americans acquiring the disorder each year. However, many people are not aware of it.
ACE also has joined the National Aphasia Association, the health care technology company Lingraphica and aphasia centers throughout the country in a campaign that features the interactive "Faces of Aphasia" website, where individuals, organizations, caregivers and speech-language pathologists can share their aphasia stories. The address for the website is facesofaphasia.com. Also part of the campaign is a 50-second awareness video to be shared across social media channels and a free e-book entitled "What to Expect When You're Not Expecting Aphasia."
"We are proud to join this awareness campaign," says Master Faculty Specialist Sandra Glista, a speech-language pathologist and ACE clinical supervisor. "With a rising number of people diagnosed with aphasia each year, it is critical to shed light on this condition, spread a message of hope for recovery and share the stories of those affected by the disorder."
Learn about the National Aphasia Association at aphasia.org.
About the clinic
The Charles Van Riper Language, Speech and Hearing Clinic has provided the highest quality services to people living with aphasia for many years and has long been in the forefront of offering group therapy for enhancing communication abilities.
For more information about ACE, visit wmich.edu/unifiedclinics/vanriper/aphasia or contact Glista at sandra.glista@wmich.edu.
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