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!