Jenny

I look up at Uncle Artair and then back down at the communication board he's going over with me. I'm getting a little better each month at reading words again, but it's still very difficult. I have a very long way to go if I ever want to get anywhere close to being independent again. Uncle Artair has made me some communication boards to use in the meanwhile. Instead of just words, they also have pictures of common items on them.

Today, he's showing me a communication board he's put together for when I go out with Aunt Ciara for lunch. We're going food shopping afterwards. Uncle Artair wants me to have this new board with me in case I need to show someone with pictures what I'm looking for at the grocery store. Without most of my words, it's often hard to ask for help. When I can show someone in pictures what I need things are a lot easier, for both parties. Having this type of tool is good for me; it gives me back some autonomy. At some point in the distant future I plan to move back home. To do that, I have to show Uncle Artair that I can manage on my own. Being able to buy my own food is one small step towards that level of independence.

After about 20 pictures, I groan. "Uh, come on. How many are there?" My head is starting to hurt and I can feel a headache building behind my eyes. This happens to me a lot when I take in too much visual information.

Uncle Artair's brutal. He never lets me rest. He's always on top of helping me heal. I appreciate everything he's doing for me, though. I'm lucky; most people suffering with aphasia don't have a live-in speech therapist like I do. Recovery is very slow with this condition, and while patients never fully recover, some do better than others. Uncle Artair is determined that I'm going to be one of the few to regain most of what I've lost. I'm not sure how I'll do, but I appreciate his effort. I try to show my gratitude by never giving up and by doing whatever he asks of me. Today, though, I'm worn out. I just don't feel like it. It's been a long week. We've been working with large-font, red word cards. We have labeled the house with word tags so I can get used to putting names to the objects around me again. I am feeling a little overwhelmed.

"I'm sorry, Jenny," Uncle Artair says, putting a hand on my shoulder. "I know it's a lot. Just a few more minutes with these communication boards and then we can take a break."

"O-k" I say. "I...pree...I pree...shake...I...thank...Un Artair." If it were anyone else, they probably wouldn't understand my speech, but he does. He knows how much I appreciate him. I wish I could tell him thank you like a normal person. Perhaps one day I will. For now, I have to keep trying to get well.

"I know. It's hard. I get it." Uncle Artair says. "Five more minutes, ok? Let's try it again. This is a picture of..."

While we go over the pictures one more time, I watch Aunt Ciara from the corner of my eye. She's wiping down the countertops, and then goes over to feed their goldfish. I think about home again. I miss it; the fresh air, the chirping birds in the morning, the woods around my cabin, the water in the lake. I miss Walker so much. And, my grandparents, Cian, the Graham's, Siofra, and the rest of my friends, all of them. I wipe a tear from my eye before Uncle Artair sees it.

I miss my animals; my pet walking/sitting business. At least they'll be there when I return, I think to myself and sigh.

I wanted to finish college, but now I feel like it would be too hard. At least I still have my animals. I'll have to work really hard to make enough money to support myself, but it's doable. I won't be able to spend very much, but I'll manage. One day.

I turn back to the communication board and try to follow Uncle Artair.

"Brrrrrr...eh...Breh...heh...Bread!"

"Good, Jenny. Good job. Ok, next one..."

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If you or someone you love could benefit from the use of a communication board, here is a great introductory tutorial I found on Youtube on how to create your own in a very inexpensive way.

Clark, C. (2015). Making a Communication Board Out of a Cookie Sheet for Autism, Apraxia or Aphasia. SLP Solution. Web Search 2 June 2021. Website: https://youtu.be/mnyv8h6J4rc

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