Aphasia - Understanding, Treating and Living - Interactive Panel Presentation

Superstar Bruce Willis is living proof that changes in our health can happen to anyone! Much of what you are reading in the news may be misleading. 

Panel members include 

• Susan I. Wranik MS, MA, CCC-SLP SUSAN@SPEAKSKILL.COM
• Suzanne Coyle, MA, CCC-SLP, Executive Director Stroke Comeback Center suzanne@strokecomebackcenter.org
• Marcia Moran - Individual with Aphasia moran_marcia@yahoo.com
• Susan Emery - Individual with Aphasia susanhemery@gmail.com

Link to Podcast

Questions Asked

• pls discuss link between aphasia and dementia.  which form of dementia?
• Thank you for holding this important webinar.  It's so important to explain that most people with Aphasia do NOT have cognitive issues. Most are just as smart as they were before their stroke or cause of the Aphasia, but their Aphasia has impacted their ability to process language when they hear it or to express themselves. Not being able to talk is not the same as the cognitive issues that Bruce Willis' family said.
• what were the 3 causes again- stroke, drug toxicity and what else?
• Can people with aphasia type what they are thinking and have it come out understandable?
• Susan, can you elaborate on the "drug toxicity"?
• Could you please copy the useful links and that type of stuff shared in CHAT and then paste it into a document shared with people who see this live program and the video recordings of it?
• Given aphasia is a disorder caused by a stoke, TBI or drug toxicity, how is aphasia distinct when its caused by a neurogenerative disease like dementia?
• How often do people with aphasia also have apraxia?
• Which doctor or specialist or health care professional will give diagnosis for aphasia? Thank you for this educational and informative and enlightening talk and discussion.
• Question for Susan Emory—is there a respectful way or a way you prefer to have others offer you a word that you are having difficulty finding?
• If not to difficult, postpone the stroke? How do you postpone the stroke?
• Can you talk about having a stoke at such a young age? We have heard nothing about children who have strokes.
• laser therapy and neurofeedback???
• Stephen Hawkings, learned to type and communicate with his eyes, (not sure how to spell his name) Hawkings, we learned that he had ALS Lou Gerhrigs condition. Do any of you know about and can you talk about learning to type and communicate by typing with your eyes, thank you so much.
• Cedar mentioned "singing thoughts." Comment?
• Producers and directors who have worked with Bruce Willis say they have noticed behavior memory changes for a long time since he is an actor who has to remember his lines for movie productions, they say they often shortened sentences for his parts by rewriting them to try to help Bruce Willis to remember, what should family and caregivers watch for and pay attention to in an effort to help and assist.
• Is there music therapy specifically for aphasia. How do we find these helpers?
• So are you saying there are exclusively 3 causes for aphasia?  Please clarify. Thanks
• Typing with your eyes can you talk about this?

Chat Transcript

12:05:53     From  Marcia Moran   to   Hosts and panelists : How do I come on camera?

12:05:54     From  Sarah Bram   to   Hosts and panelists : @Janet, hi from Wheaton!

12:06:10     From  Oren Kennedy   to   Hosts and panelists : Oren Kennedy - TBI and aphasia survivor  kennedy.o@gmail.com

12:06:28     From  Deena Imbriglia : Hello to you all from Deena at Home Instead.  deena.imbriglia@homeinstead.com; 703-750-6644;  Thank you so much Steve, for sponsoring this presentation on such an important topic.  A wonderful weekend to you all.

12:07:16     From  Ginger Doetsch   to   Hosts and panelists : We cannot copy and paste any CHAT text for this session.

12:08:02     From  Edward Collins : My name is Ed Collins 66 and I have PD.  Has anyone ever had a Tonsillectomy.  I'm scared I'm going to have a rough time recovering.

12:08:08     From  mary busse : It is difficult to hear speaker

12:08:24     From  Cedar Dvorin : Agree- can hardly hear Susan

12:08:35     From  Pam Ostrowski   to   Hosts and panelists : Steve, we can hear you typing on your keyboard. Kind of distracting from their intros

12:08:46     From  Gloria Arnold   to   Hosts and panelists : Folks are having trouble hearing Susan

12:09:00     From  Sarah Bram   to   Hosts and panelists : Hi Suzanne! I miss volunteering at SCC! ❤️

12:09:16     From  Gwen Roney   to   Hosts and panelists : Hello my name is Gwen Roney. CEO, RN Patient Advocacy @ 

Compassionate Heart Patient Advocacy, LLC www.mycompassionateheart.net

12:09:34     From  Gene Poole   to   Hosts and panelists : Susan’s volume setting way too low!

12:10:03     From  Joe Sperling : IT BECOMES REAL!

12:10:14     From  Pam Ostrowski : So true! Bruce has paved the way for awareness of aphasia! Seth and Lauren Rogen and Ronald Reagan did the same for Alzheimer's

12:10:22     From  Gene Poole   to   Hosts and panelists : Ed, I am 82.  I had a tonsillectomy at age 4! Still alive.

12:10:27     From  Janet Gritz : I also want to let people know about the Montgomery County Stroke Association, a local nonprofit.  MCSA has cancelled its in-person meetings during the pandemic, but it does offer online programs each month.   MCSA's  free monthly newsletter has 2 pages of online resources for stroke survivors. Membership in MCSA is free.  For more information, contact MCSA at mcstroke@comcast.net or 301-681-6272.

12:10:37     From  Elizabeth Smith : My name is Elizabeth Smith and my aunt has PPA

12:10:50     From  James MacDonald   to   Hosts and panelists : It’s better

12:10:55     From  Gene Poole   to   Hosts and panelists : only slightly better, Susan.

12:11:19     From  Cedar Dvorin : Yes, Susan. Not as loud as the others but better.

12:11:22     From  mary busse : better but could be a bit better

12:12:07     From  Tarita Turner   to   Hosts and panelists : Steve, I think it's the sound of your typing.

12:12:17     From  Judy Tiger : Judy Tiger, Just That Simple, justthatsimpleinfo@gmail.com, 202-257-1609. Home organizing, decluttering, move management. All rooms, all stuff, including paper management, closets, kitchens, pantries, etc etc. Serving DC, Montgomery Cty, PG Cty. The goal is safety and peace of mind at home (or an easy, less stress move). Specializing in a personalized, nonjudgmental approach.  Can coordinate with family, care managers, realtors, movers, etc.  How can we help you and your clients?

12:13:07     From  Dorothy Stiles   to   Hosts and panelists : Please remove the ad that JT just posted.

12:14:46     From  Pam Ostrowski : Excellent differentiation!

12:15:11     From  Judy Tiger : so makes sense!!!!!

12:15:12     From  Pam Ostrowski : Totally! Keep going!

12:15:14     From  Elva Roy : Makes sense. Interesting.

12:15:15     From  Elizabeth Smith : makes complete sense

12:15:19     From  Darci Marie : you are describing it so well.

12:15:26     From  Gwen Roney   to   Hosts and panelists : Yes Susan

12:15:27     From  Gene Poole   to   Hosts and panelists : LOUDER!

12:15:46     From  Alex Johnson : Hello all, so great to hear from Suzanne and Susan - two of the best resources in our community!

12:16:00     From  Marjorie Cotterman : Totally makes sense to me and very helpful in my ability to explain this to my students.  Thank you,

12:16:21     From  Christy MacCormack   to   Hosts and panelists : Great job Susan! I understood it!

12:16:23     From  Adele Logan-Galen : Great program!  Adele Logan-Galen, Smooth Move Managers.  Decluttering, downsizing and delighting since 2015. Adele@Smoothmovemanagers.com

12:16:28     From  Renate Buttrum : Renate Buttrum, Outreach Coordinator for DC Relay.  Please reach out to learn more about our no cost Speech to Speech relay service.  443-518-6949.  renate.buttrum@hamiltonrelay.com

12:16:31     From  Michael Smith : it makes sense...So aphasia is a disorder, but there can be a comorbid medical condition that can lead to neurodegeneration and impact expressive and receptive speech.

12:16:43     From  Cheryl Paul   to   Hosts and panelists : I would also like to add that just about anything with a brain can have a stroke including dogs/cats.

12:16:54     From  Alison LGPC   to   Hosts and panelists : review of this information would be helpful to recap after major points for people new to this subject

12:17:00     From  Alex Johnson : Alexandra Johnson, TheKey (formerly Home Care Assistance, the company that acquired Old Dominion Home Care),  703-397-3529, ajohnson@thekey.com

12:17:02     From  Judy Tiger : do we know what illness has caused the aphasia?

12:17:22     From  Dorothy Stiles   to   Hosts and panelists : Would you please moderate the chat so that those advertising their businesses are deleted and others advised not to post ads!

12:20:35     From  Pam Ostrowski : AWESOME video!! This is VERY helpful!

12:20:47     From  Cheryl Paul : Cheryl Paul. SLP from Tampa, FL

12:21:24     From  Stephanie Mensh : for books, tools, tips: www.strokesurvivor.com on aphasia and stroke, including returning to work, hobbies, travel, etc  www.strokesurvivor.com

12:21:59     From  Susan Weller : Powerful!

12:22:04     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Sourcebook   to   Dorothy Stiles and all panelists : Hi Dorothy - The professionals in our community are there as a resource.  While I understand how it might be challenging to see who the providers are we regularly get comments from folks saying they made a connection with someone who really helped them.  Our goal is our goal

12:22:25     From  Marlene Frost-Sweeney   to   Hosts and panelists : Can you discuss PPA also?

12:22:57     From  Karen Copeland : Karen Copeland, SLP Tulsa, OK here.  Thanks for doing this! :)

12:23:07     From  Ginger Doetsch   to   Hosts and panelists : Could you please copy the useful links and that type of stuff shared in CHAT and then paste it into a document shared with people who see this program and the video recordings of it?

12:23:27     From  Ellen Pincus : Hello Ellen Pincus Community Ambassador with Silverado Memory Care in Alexandria, VA Cell 571-775-9408 ellen.pincus@silverado.com.

12:23:35     From  Robin Mooney : Such powerful information and the video was awesome!

12:24:07     From  Stephanie Mensh : Paul is out at a meeting. Aphasia & stroke survivors can do a lot of stuff.

12:27:22     From  Elizabeth Smith : Can you speak about PPA at some point? Would love any information you have.

12:28:15     From  Ginger Doetsch   to   Hosts and panelists : Yesterday morning I prepared a HANDOUT FILE NAMED –   “Everything You Need to Know About Aphasia - AARP The Daily email - 31 Mar 2022”  I only copied, formatted, and pasted text from the AARP article into the handout.

SEE EMAIL I sent on April 1 to “Positive Aging Community” steve@proaging.com with the SUBJECT: HANDOUT TO POSSIBLY SHARE -re: Reminder: Special Discussion on Understanding Aphasia.  My email address is gingerdoetsch@gmail.com  703-402-4379

12:28:43     From  marvin sirkis : I had  intermittent effluent aphagia during post cancer treatment and taking my many drugs.Fortunately it abated with the removal of the multiplicity of medicines.

12:29:32     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Sourcebook : Link to video we shared What is aphasia (with Michael Settles) https://stream.asha.org/what-is-aphasia-with-michael-settles

12:29:44     From  Ginger Doetsch   to   Hosts and panelists : I sent the handout as both a MS Word and a PDF file. The links in the PDF file work peachy keen.

12:29:52     From  Cheryl Paul : Susan, I am so happy that you brought up patient confidentiality.  People keep asking what kind of aphasia in reference to Bruce Willis.  That he shared his diagnosis of aphasia is awesome.  They may never share the cause…and that is OK.  IT IS THEIR BUSINESS.

12:30:29     From  Oren Kennedy   to   Hosts and panelists : How has treatment over time occurred? Susan Emory has lived through this experience.

12:31:03     From  Oren Kennedy   to   Hosts and panelists : evolution of treatment. sorry, thick day

12:31:50     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Sourcebook : Ginger shared the following handlout with everyone

12:31:57     From  David Slupe : Witnessed a dear older friend gradually struggle with aphasia over the course of several years in a group setting where we all shared ideas. He was in a safe place, but his decline in ability to articulate his bright ideas, was felt by all of us. It eventually became apparent that aphasia was an early indicator of further cognitive decline. For him, we could not stem the aphasia tide, but I am glad to hear that it is not always a permanent given the trigger.

12:33:36     From  marvin sirkis : the name of Susan's organization, please?

12:36:18     From  Ginger Doetsch   to   Hosts and panelists : STEVE - I can email my formatted easy to read handout for the article to you. What email address would you like me to use for you?

12:37:48     From  Ginger Doetsch   to   Hosts and panelists : FOR STEVE - I could send it to you after this meeting. GingerDoetsch@gmail.com  703-402-4379

12:39:50     From  Clifford Frost   to   Hosts and panelists : Can you please share the contact info for the Toastmaster group for people with Parkinsons that also suffer with aphasia.  Thank you.

12:40:03     From  Ginger Doetsch   to   Hosts and panelists : Will the Closed Captioning also be available when people watch the recorded video?

12:40:24     From  Tarita Turner : Renate mentioned Speech to Speech services through relay (available in EVERY STATE!) but if a person experiencing aphasia prefers and is able to TYPE their conversation, Hearing Carry Over is a great option.   either of us would be happy to chat more about it!  tarita.turner@hamiltonrelay.com 240-920-9594 (voice/text)

12:41:03     From  Alex Johnson : What an amazing panel, thank you...I am learning a lot

12:41:04     From  Cedar Dvorin : One of the nursing home residents I worked with couldn't speak but she could sing her thoughts.

12:41:59     From  Christy MacCormack : Christy MacCormack, Naborforce, www.naborforce.com. (301)960-5500. Our mission is all about being there for conversation and companionship (among other things!). We could come along side those having trouble with finding their words and want to practice. Thank you for sharing your stories Sharon & Marcia! Susan & Suzanne you ladies are phenomenal. Thank you for this information! christy@naborforce.com

12:42:13     From  Elva Roy : Cedar, I think singing is how Gabby learned to speak again.

12:42:53     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Sourcebook : Apraxia is a neurological disorder characterized by the inability to perform learned (familiar) movements on command, even though the command is understood and there is a willingness to perform the movement. Both the desire and the capacity to move are present but the person simply cannot execute the act.

12:43:12     From  Ginger Doetsch   to   Hosts and panelists : Is the CHAT text available for recorded videos if the Zoom meeting is properly configured to support that wonderful possibility?

12:47:25     From  Marjorie Cotterman : This has been so helpful, thank you so much again

12:47:47     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Sourcebook : Panel Member Contacts:

12:47:49     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Sourcebook : SusanEmery (susanhemery@gmail.com)

Suzanne Coyle (suzanne@strokecomebackcenter.org)

Susan I. Wranik (SUSAN@SPEAKSKILL.COM)

MarciaMoran (moran_marcia@yahoo.com)

12:49:05     From  Oren Kennedy   to   Hosts and panelists : Finishing sentences forme shuts my conversation with them. i need the space.

12:49:10     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Sourcebook : We are recording and it will be posted this afternoon along with the chat at https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/digital-discussions

12:52:14     From  Kelly Lambert : I know someone who has Tourette Syndrome. He uses singing and humming to avoid using profanity. I'm wondering if this isn't all somehow related?

12:54:13     From  Ginger Doetsch   to   Hosts and panelists : I anticipate downloading the recording and chat information. I'm sure the wonderful folks at my 93 year old mom's facility will gratefully share these resources with many others.

12:54:31     From  Janet Gritz : The SLP who is the local technology guru is Joan Green (Innovative Speech Therapy). Contact Joan at joan@innovativespeech.com or visit her website at www.innovativespeech.com

12:55:39     From  Betsy D. Simon : Great Session, thank you so much. May I share tapes on my weekly zoom sessions for  BDS Healthy Aging Networks, Inc. participants

12:55:46     From  Judy Tiger : Marica has a comment.

12:56:32     From  Judy Tiger   to   Hosts and panelists : Marcia has a comment.

12:57:12     From  Tarita Turner : There are 2 great programs through the state of Maryland that help with getting technology, MDTAP and MAT program!  Again, happy to share information about both of those programs, tarita.turner@hamiltonrelay.com 240-920-9594 (voice/text)

12:57:24     From  Cheryl Paul : When I was a Clinical Instructor in SLP, I emphasized to my students that anyone with a brain can have a stroke.  I did that b/c people link stroke to older folks.  It can happen to anyone.  I had a case where the person was in his mid-teens.  No one could believe it was a stroke.

12:58:50     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Sourcebook : Thank you for holding this important webinar.  It's so important to explain that most people with Aphasia do NOT have cognitive issues. Most are just as smart as they were before their stroke or cause of the Aphasia, but their Aphasia has impacted their ability to process language when they hear it or to express themselves. Not being able to talk is not the same as the cognitive issues that Bruce Willis' family said.

12:59:04     From  Carrie Brill : "You are what you eat!"

12:59:11     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Sourcebook : Producers and directors who have worked with Bruce Willis say they have noticed behavior memory changes for a long time since he is an actor who has to remember his lines for movie productions, they say they often shortened sentences for his parts by rewriting them to try to help Bruce Willis to remember, what should family and caregivers watch for and pay attention to in an effort to help and assist.

12:59:18     From  Joe Sperling : What we eat affects our heart and brain.

12:59:29     From  Mary Pynadath : Thank you!

12:59:50     From  Mindy Mitchell : Amazing information! Thank you, all :-)

13:00:15     From  Ginger Doetsch : I really appreciate my Diet and Caffeine Free Pepsi sodas.

13:00:44     From  Gene Poole   to   Hosts and panelists : letmarcia say sometning please

13:00:45     From  Janet Gritz : another cause is brain tumor

13:01:21     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Sourcebook : SusanEmery (susanhemery@gmail.com)

Suzanne Coyle (suzanne@strokecomebackcenter.org)

Susan I. Wranik (SUSAN@SPEAKSKILL.COM)

MarciaMoran (moran_marcia@yahoo.com)

13:01:23     From  Marcia Moran   to   Hosts and panelists : marcia@StrokeForward.com

13:02:13     From  Ginger Doetsch : What's the best guess for when the video and chat will be posted today?

13:02:27     From  Virginia Davies   to   Hosts and panelists : Great information Thank you.

13:02:48     From  David Slupe : Great program, I have learned so much more about Aphasia. Thank you

13:03:06     From  Susan I. Wranik : Please join me for EXPESS YOURSELF 2nd and 4th TU of each month

13:03:06     From  James MacDonald   to   Hosts and panelists : Thank you all so much! And thanks, as always, Steve. ????

13:03:14     From  Sarah Bram   to   Hosts and panelists : SCC is the best! ❤️ I loved volunteering there pre-pandemic.

13:03:17     From  Ginger Doetsch   to   Hosts and panelists : Best guess for when videos and chat will be posted today

13:03:29     From  Robin Mooney : Excellent panel and information.  Thank you.

13:04:00     From  Carrie Brill : Very much appreciate this presentation. Caregiving for my 102 yr. old mother-in-law who is struggling with Dementia w/Aphasia.  Tough for her and family. Appreciate all each of you are doing! Keep up the excellent work!!]

13:04:05     From  Ellen Pincus : Great program and thank you so much!!!

13:04:23     From  Carolyn Pennington : Thank you all! Great program and information.

13:04:24     From  Cheryl Paul : Thank you so much for putting this program together today.

13:04:26     From  Donna Blackwell : Great session. Thank you for bringing something so relevant and current to us so quickly.

13:04:30     From  Judy Tiger   to   Hosts and panelists : Wow. Thank you all for making this happen at this very last minute. I do wish these facts would be on ALL news programs.

13:04:39     From  Kachen Alsopp : Thank you .

13:04:42     From  Tarita Turner : This has been fantastic!  Thanks again for putting this together

13:04:44     From  Terry Meehan : Thank you so much

13:04:53     From  Darci Marie : Thank you. very informative. Thank you for sharing