Member Stories

Through the years, we have had hundreds of survivors become members of the Center. Some are as young as 22 years old, some are in their 80’s and 90’s. Some stay for a few months and some stay for years. Some are from other countries. They are lawyers, doctors, nurses, combat wounded veterans, teachers, students, software engineers, business owners and truck drivers. Some return to their previous job or other employment; some find enjoyment with volunteer work or reconnect with their family. All have aphasia or related communication challenges. Here are some of their stories.

Jerry Shrouds built a Bridge to Love after a stroke.

BBlove

Jerry and his two sons had been with Franda for more than a year when his stroke happened. He couldn’t walk, couldn’t talk. Luckily, a friend knew about the Stroke Comeback Center.

Jerry was back on his feet, but his speech – just about all he could say was, “Yeah! No! Yeah! No!” Working with the Center’s caring professionals, words began to return.

Most important: “I love you.”

Soon Franda and Jerry had a baby girl, then a boy. Jerry learned to change a diaper with one hand.

He recalls the day he made their life even better.

Franda was driving. Jerry reached into his pocket, afraid to wait, afraid he would lose the ring and the note. He was tongue-tied. He handed the note to her. It said, “Will you marry me?”

Today Jerry drives, bought a home and fixed it up, and communicates as a dad, a son, a friend, and a husband. Franda said YES!

More Member Stories

TD is a wounded veteran & with aphasia. After completing the course of care available to him through the military he came to the SCC with 2 primary goals: being able to work and returning to his role in the family. He is the proud dad of 2 daughters. Since joining the Center he has returned to work part time and his family is proud of his success. The staff at the SCC added an additional goal for him: returning a smile to his face. We see that smile more and more – he has a lot to smile about.

JP has been at the Center for several years. She had a stroke in 2005; she was working in computer software sales at the time and communication was and is an integral piece of who she is. She tried many different types of speech therapy at various locations. Once she found the Center, she committed herself to regaining her speech one word at a time and she is succeeding. JP was one of the first members to use VAST^TM – she found that the Iphone apps help her to communicate on the telephone and in social situations. She is on the SCC Consumer Board, chairs social activities, and recently began volunteering at a local animal shelter.

Special thanks to our top sponsors