SSSH! The crickets are now peaceful again. Not racing and roaring, just a peaceful chorus of singing....do crickets sing? Anyways, they are happy and I happy that they're happy!
Tinnitus can be a noise (e.g. ringing, crickets) in your head...in your auditory cortex. Really that you can do about...it's just there!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Two More Blogs About Aphasia
I enjoyed Doonan Diddly Squat and Planet Aphasia blogs.
Check them...humorous, witty and informative.
Also, look at this article about Christy...
The fight to give voice to stroke patients
Check them...humorous, witty and informative.
Also, look at this article about Christy...
The fight to give voice to stroke patients
Australian Aphasia Association
Thank-you Charteuse for your information about your National association and the conference (see below)...
I would love to attend the Australian Aphasia Association in September. Would anybody or group or corporation like to sponsor me???????
"I thought you might like to know that here in Australia we have a very active Australian Aphasia Association, and we hold a national conference every two years. The next one is in Sydney on 27-28 September 2010.
You might get some ideas from the AAA website, which includes information from the last conference. There you will also find news about 'Wednesday Without Words', an annual event with activities scheduled in many parts of the country, the purpose of which is to publicise information about aphasia to the general public and especially to lawmakers and other persons with responsibility for health programs.
Why don't you find someone in Nova Scotia to sponsor you to attend our national conference, for the purpose of starting something similar in your country (if you don't already have a national organisation)?"
I would love to attend the Australian Aphasia Association in September. Would anybody or group or corporation like to sponsor me???????
"I thought you might like to know that here in Australia we have a very active Australian Aphasia Association, and we hold a national conference every two years. The next one is in Sydney on 27-28 September 2010.
You might get some ideas from the AAA website, which includes information from the last conference. There you will also find news about 'Wednesday Without Words', an annual event with activities scheduled in many parts of the country, the purpose of which is to publicise information about aphasia to the general public and especially to lawmakers and other persons with responsibility for health programs.
Why don't you find someone in Nova Scotia to sponsor you to attend our national conference, for the purpose of starting something similar in your country (if you don't already have a national organisation)?"
Goddess in Wonderland
I went to the movie "Alice in Wonderland" last evening, and really enjoyed it. But, now my "crickets" are racing! Since I had my stroke, I have tinnitus....ringing and noises in my head. I say that I have "crickets" in my head and they are my friends. Sometimes people who have tinnitus think the crickets are the enemy. But, I decided to make friends with my crickets, otherwise they can make you crazy!
I don't know if the 3D made my crickets noisier or if the movie was too loud....I didn't think it was too loud. Anyways, my crickets are loud today!
I don't know if the 3D made my crickets noisier or if the movie was too loud....I didn't think it was too loud. Anyways, my crickets are loud today!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Funny story
A friend asked me if my speech-language pathologist was French....she wasn't. But, most people think I French, because I sound French....I picked up an accent since I started to speech English again.....go figure! My name is French, my Dad was French...but I don't speak French!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Let's Talk
I have been very tired...thus no blogs!
Last Saturday morning I went to Geoff Regan's "Let's Talk" with a few of my aphasiac friends and family and the Director of InteRACT (Intensive Residential Aphasia Communication Therapy). Aphasiac...is that a word? It should be...so I grant "aphasiac" a real word! Anyways, we went to "Let's Talk" so Geoff Regan and others who were there could see us...people with aphasia!
Also, we wanted discuss therapy for aphasia and that wasn't enough timely and length of duration in Nova Scotia and Canada...for that matter.
I have emailed Geoff about aphasia and services for aphasia. And, he listened and wrote a letter to the Minister of Education. I explained that the education portfolio could share "therapy" with the health portfolio. Geoff mailed me a copy of the letter he received from the Minister of Education explaining that she didn't think aphasia is part of the education portfolio.....
"I have reviewed Ms. Arbique's letter and considered her suggestions. The services proposed by Ms. Arbique appear to be primarily within the realm of heath care services for adults. Although the Department of Education provides funding to school boards to employ speech-language pathologists, their services are for supporting students with special needs who are registered in Nova Scotia public schools. Speech-language pathologist services for adults outside the public school system are not within the current legislated jurisdiction of the Department of Education."
Hmmmmmm...okay, since the traditional view of post-stroke complications has historical been "that stroke victims only improve for the first six months....then that's it. That wisdom was WRONG! We can improve for life. So, I think it's time to CHANGE your CURRENT legislations!
"I note that your letter was copied to my colleague, Honourable Maureen MacDonald, Minister of Health, and I have copied this letter to her for her information. Currently, there are no specialized services focusing on post-aphasia education support within existing adult education programs. The Department of Health and the Department of Labour of Workforce Development may be able to collaborate, however, on delivering an education component of a comprehensive, therapeutic services models for persons with aphasia, through the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning."
Let's CHANGE thoses CURRENT legislations and services! You know, before I said that people with aphasia need contuining education, but my friend with a husband with aphasia coined the term "re-educate". People with aphasia need to learn all the things about language (speech, writing, reading) that they learned before their stroke, again.....re-educate!
There's a place for the Department of Health and Department of Education and Department of Labour and Workforce and the Department of Community Services for funding.
I want to go back to work, but in this CURRENT provision of services I CAN'T! Unless, I pay for a private speech-language pathologist....I get 70% of my salary on disability??? Re-education of language is slow, especially when you have other complications (e.g. apraxia, etc.). The public-funding provided by the Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech isn't working either. Their goal isn't for me to go to work again....their goal is for me to get my groceries and read my bills....that's important sure...but there's more important things in life too.
I have a "aphasiac" friend who can't talk on the phone, because people can't understand her, she lives alone and can't go outside without supportbecause of her balance...to me there's a place for community services too.
Instead of pushing the issue from portfolio to portfolio, share the responsibility! Say, "What can MY Department do" and SHARE responsibility!
Last Saturday morning I went to Geoff Regan's "Let's Talk" with a few of my aphasiac friends and family and the Director of InteRACT (Intensive Residential Aphasia Communication Therapy). Aphasiac...is that a word? It should be...so I grant "aphasiac" a real word! Anyways, we went to "Let's Talk" so Geoff Regan and others who were there could see us...people with aphasia!
Also, we wanted discuss therapy for aphasia and that wasn't enough timely and length of duration in Nova Scotia and Canada...for that matter.
I have emailed Geoff about aphasia and services for aphasia. And, he listened and wrote a letter to the Minister of Education. I explained that the education portfolio could share "therapy" with the health portfolio. Geoff mailed me a copy of the letter he received from the Minister of Education explaining that she didn't think aphasia is part of the education portfolio.....
"I have reviewed Ms. Arbique's letter and considered her suggestions. The services proposed by Ms. Arbique appear to be primarily within the realm of heath care services for adults. Although the Department of Education provides funding to school boards to employ speech-language pathologists, their services are for supporting students with special needs who are registered in Nova Scotia public schools. Speech-language pathologist services for adults outside the public school system are not within the current legislated jurisdiction of the Department of Education."
Hmmmmmm...okay, since the traditional view of post-stroke complications has historical been "that stroke victims only improve for the first six months....then that's it. That wisdom was WRONG! We can improve for life. So, I think it's time to CHANGE your CURRENT legislations!
"I note that your letter was copied to my colleague, Honourable Maureen MacDonald, Minister of Health, and I have copied this letter to her for her information. Currently, there are no specialized services focusing on post-aphasia education support within existing adult education programs. The Department of Health and the Department of Labour of Workforce Development may be able to collaborate, however, on delivering an education component of a comprehensive, therapeutic services models for persons with aphasia, through the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning."
Let's CHANGE thoses CURRENT legislations and services! You know, before I said that people with aphasia need contuining education, but my friend with a husband with aphasia coined the term "re-educate". People with aphasia need to learn all the things about language (speech, writing, reading) that they learned before their stroke, again.....re-educate!
There's a place for the Department of Health and Department of Education and Department of Labour and Workforce and the Department of Community Services for funding.
I want to go back to work, but in this CURRENT provision of services I CAN'T! Unless, I pay for a private speech-language pathologist....I get 70% of my salary on disability??? Re-education of language is slow, especially when you have other complications (e.g. apraxia, etc.). The public-funding provided by the Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech isn't working either. Their goal isn't for me to go to work again....their goal is for me to get my groceries and read my bills....that's important sure...but there's more important things in life too.
I have a "aphasiac" friend who can't talk on the phone, because people can't understand her, she lives alone and can't go outside without supportbecause of her balance...to me there's a place for community services too.
Instead of pushing the issue from portfolio to portfolio, share the responsibility! Say, "What can MY Department do" and SHARE responsibility!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centre Can’t Count!
Okay, I had a stroke and have aphasia because of it, so it makes sense that I can’t count. But, really the Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centre doesn’t have an excuse!
I requested the numbers of people that have aphasia from 2003-2009 and which regions of Nova Scotia that they live. The reason that I wanted to get the numbers of people with aphasia is that I want to lobby the Government to have available and accessible treatment/continuing education for aphasia. And, communication groups in each region.
The Government must plan for treatment for people with aphasia and to do that you have to know the numbers of people with aphasia! Everyone knows about stroke….but the image that you see in your mind is an older person with paralysis. Am I right?
But, there are more complications and young people who are affected too. So, your image of a person with stroke should be broader. Aphasia is a complication of stroke….when you left side of your brain is injured either by stroke or trauma sometimes the injuries attack the language centre of your brain. You might have problems with speech, word searching, writing and reading. AND, you have to start again with language…kind of like people who are learning another language. That’s why I said “treatment/continuing education”…..treatment for aphasia often is continuing education for communication.
Anyways, I digress. In Nova Scotia the publically funded treatment/continuing education for aphasia sucks! Granted, the treatment for aphasia in Canada sucks! Actually, publically funded treatment for aphasia worldwide sucks.
I live in Halifax. When I was discharged from the Nova Scotia Rehabilation Centre, it took 6 months for the Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech to call me because of the waiting line. Then, I had my 12 sessions - 1 hour per week – then was kicked to the curb. IF, I requested I could put my name on the end of waiting list again – taking about 1 year to get more sessions…12 sessions. THAT is the life of the aphasiac! Can most people who have aphasia go back to their job? No. Maybe, 30%?
I was lucky because I took speech treatment privately because my disability insurance for awhile. But, when they realized that I couldn’t work in 6 months, they cut me off. I have Blue Cross that paid $1500 for physiotherapy, massage, speech and other therapies. But, it’s not enough to help me go to my workplace.
Anyways, I digress…again! My soapbox…. The reason that the Nova Hearing and Speech couldn’t provide the numbers that I requested is that their computer technology was changing???? So, “they” said. You know, I worked in the Capitol District Health Authority who also is changing to the newer technology. And, they need to easily pull numbers for budget planning. What about the Hearing and Speech Centre….they have to plan for budgets too! The Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centre is the only game for hearing and speech in Nova Scotia… which means that in each region of Nova Scotia, they must budget planning too. The Department of Health of Nova Scotia dumps funds to the Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centre to take care of Nova Scotians with hearing and speech disorders EVEN people with aphasia.
Now, I know that I had a stroke and have problems with numbers, but that’s say that EACH year 1500 Nova Scotians survived a stroke and of those 30% have aphasia…500? That’s EACH year….500 Nova Scotians are diagnosed with aphasia. What about the year before….500. So, by looking from 2003-2009 you should have about 3500 minus the people who are still alive…..AND, that’s just people who had a stroke…..then are the people who had trauma aphasia!
And, there must be offices in each region of Nova Scotia who would know how many people living with aphasia in that region??? That is planning! Hmmmm, do you trust that the Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centre is doing enough to care people with aphasia.
I guess I will have to travel to each region and meet people with aphasia or their families.
I requested the numbers of people that have aphasia from 2003-2009 and which regions of Nova Scotia that they live. The reason that I wanted to get the numbers of people with aphasia is that I want to lobby the Government to have available and accessible treatment/continuing education for aphasia. And, communication groups in each region.
The Government must plan for treatment for people with aphasia and to do that you have to know the numbers of people with aphasia! Everyone knows about stroke….but the image that you see in your mind is an older person with paralysis. Am I right?
But, there are more complications and young people who are affected too. So, your image of a person with stroke should be broader. Aphasia is a complication of stroke….when you left side of your brain is injured either by stroke or trauma sometimes the injuries attack the language centre of your brain. You might have problems with speech, word searching, writing and reading. AND, you have to start again with language…kind of like people who are learning another language. That’s why I said “treatment/continuing education”…..treatment for aphasia often is continuing education for communication.
Anyways, I digress. In Nova Scotia the publically funded treatment/continuing education for aphasia sucks! Granted, the treatment for aphasia in Canada sucks! Actually, publically funded treatment for aphasia worldwide sucks.
I live in Halifax. When I was discharged from the Nova Scotia Rehabilation Centre, it took 6 months for the Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech to call me because of the waiting line. Then, I had my 12 sessions - 1 hour per week – then was kicked to the curb. IF, I requested I could put my name on the end of waiting list again – taking about 1 year to get more sessions…12 sessions. THAT is the life of the aphasiac! Can most people who have aphasia go back to their job? No. Maybe, 30%?
I was lucky because I took speech treatment privately because my disability insurance for awhile. But, when they realized that I couldn’t work in 6 months, they cut me off. I have Blue Cross that paid $1500 for physiotherapy, massage, speech and other therapies. But, it’s not enough to help me go to my workplace.
Anyways, I digress…again! My soapbox…. The reason that the Nova Hearing and Speech couldn’t provide the numbers that I requested is that their computer technology was changing???? So, “they” said. You know, I worked in the Capitol District Health Authority who also is changing to the newer technology. And, they need to easily pull numbers for budget planning. What about the Hearing and Speech Centre….they have to plan for budgets too! The Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centre is the only game for hearing and speech in Nova Scotia… which means that in each region of Nova Scotia, they must budget planning too. The Department of Health of Nova Scotia dumps funds to the Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centre to take care of Nova Scotians with hearing and speech disorders EVEN people with aphasia.
Now, I know that I had a stroke and have problems with numbers, but that’s say that EACH year 1500 Nova Scotians survived a stroke and of those 30% have aphasia…500? That’s EACH year….500 Nova Scotians are diagnosed with aphasia. What about the year before….500. So, by looking from 2003-2009 you should have about 3500 minus the people who are still alive…..AND, that’s just people who had a stroke…..then are the people who had trauma aphasia!
And, there must be offices in each region of Nova Scotia who would know how many people living with aphasia in that region??? That is planning! Hmmmm, do you trust that the Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centre is doing enough to care people with aphasia.
I guess I will have to travel to each region and meet people with aphasia or their families.
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