Bay Area Program for Stroke Survivors Takes Big Strides
California Desk
June 24, 2009
Oakland, CA - The Aphasia Center of California (ACC) is a twelve-year-old not-for-profit organization based in Oakland and recognized internationally as a model for services for those affected by aphasia. To mark National Aphasia Awareness month (June of each year), ACC is hosting a walkathon to let friends and family members know that they're not alone and that services are available. 'Walk to Talk' takes place at 9:45am on Saturday, June 27th starting from the Downtown Oakland Senior Center at 200 Grand Avenue.
Imagine if suddenly you were unable to talk to your family, read a newspaper, write a check, or understand what someone was saying to you. That's what it's like to have aphasia. Never heard of it' Well, you're not alone. Most people don't know what aphasia is. There are more people in the United States with aphasia than multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy or Parkinson's Disease. In the U.S., more than one million people are stroke survivors with aphasia, and, more than 200,000 people acquire aphasia each year.
So, what exactly is aphasia' Aphasia (uh-fay-zhuh) causes a language barrier. It is the loss or reduction of language (speaking, understanding, reading and/or writing) following brain damage, typically from a stroke, but also from brain tumors and head injuries. Aphasia impairs a person's ability to use and process language, but does not affect intelligence.
Many individuals who participate in our programs are going outside of their home independently and re-entering the community for the first time since their stroke, even many years later,' say Dr. Roberta Elman, founder and President of the Aphasia Center of California. 'They support each other and learn strategies to overcome their language deficits. The feelings of isolation can be profound and part of the success of our program is the community it establishes.'
Last year, the Aphasia Center of California provided more than 4,300 visits to 160 individuals with aphasia and their families. The ACC provide long-term, affordable services for those with aphasia. In addition, the ACC staff provides community outreach, including education and training for individuals and organizations.
For more information, visit aphasiacenter.org.
Imagine if suddenly you were unable to talk to your family, read a newspaper, write a check, or understand what someone was saying to you. That's what it's like to have aphasia. Never heard of it' Well, you're not alone. Most people don't know what aphasia is. There are more people in the United States with aphasia than multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy or Parkinson's Disease. In the U.S., more than one million people are stroke survivors with aphasia, and, more than 200,000 people acquire aphasia each year.
So, what exactly is aphasia' Aphasia (uh-fay-zhuh) causes a language barrier. It is the loss or reduction of language (speaking, understanding, reading and/or writing) following brain damage, typically from a stroke, but also from brain tumors and head injuries. Aphasia impairs a person's ability to use and process language, but does not affect intelligence.
Many individuals who participate in our programs are going outside of their home independently and re-entering the community for the first time since their stroke, even many years later,' say Dr. Roberta Elman, founder and President of the Aphasia Center of California. 'They support each other and learn strategies to overcome their language deficits. The feelings of isolation can be profound and part of the success of our program is the community it establishes.'
Last year, the Aphasia Center of California provided more than 4,300 visits to 160 individuals with aphasia and their families. The ACC provide long-term, affordable services for those with aphasia. In addition, the ACC staff provides community outreach, including education and training for individuals and organizations.
For more information, visit aphasiacenter.org.
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