WHAT IS APHASIA?

Imagine suddenly being transported to a foreign country where you can't speak or understand the language. Your intellect is intact and you know what you want to say, but you can't access the words to say it, or even write it. Words you hear or read appear unclear or without reference. "Why can't I communicate?"

What you have just imagined is what life is like for individuals with a communication disorder called aphasia. Aphasia is the result of injury to the brain from stroke, tumor or other illness.

This frustrating impairment affects more than one million Americans. That is more than the number of individuals who suffer from Parkinson's Disease or Muscular Dystrophy. Individuals who have aphasia may receive speech therapy in the hospital, as an outpatient, or through home health.

Many recover a good deal of their communication with these interventions. Unfortunately, for most, aphasia is a chronic battle. Aphasia impacts entire families, social and vocational pursuits, and quality of life. And too many people have heard statements such as, "You will make all of the recovery you will ever make in the first six months or one year!" or,  "You have reached a plateau."

These statements are just NOT true!

WHAT IS THE TRIANGLE APHASIA PROJECT, UNLIMITED?

With healthcare dollars dwindling, the solution is often to "get as good as you can get" and then deal with it. The Triangle Aphasia Project, Unlimited, or TAP, is committed to better outcomes. As a nonprofit organization serving the Triangle and beyond, TAP offers solutions – individualized, personalized and compassionate answers to those affected by aphasia.

TAP began as an independent nonprofit organization in 2003 with the mission “to serve individuals with aphasia, their families and the community through innovative life participation approaches that maximize communicative potential and reduce barriers to social reengagement."

We are proud to have a wide range of programs including aphasia groups, training programs and reengagement plans. We are also proud of the collaborative relationships we have made across the Triangle serving individuals with aphasia and those impacted by this frustrating disorder.

Please visit www.aphasiaproject.org for more information.
Questions? email [email protected]

This article is in need of a Photo! To add an image to this page, click "Edit" then click the "Image" button.

 

This article is in need of a Photo! To add an image to this page, click "Edit" then click the "Image" button.