We highlight stories of acquired brain injury, promote the Brain Injury Network clubhouses and their members, and sprinkle hope on everything we share to new survivors, their caregivers and the public.
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Brain injury can be isolating, but you’re not alone. The Synapse Brainbank podcast is all about sharing experiences, expert resources and everyday advice – real perspectives from real people living with brain injury. Hosted by Dr. Zara Weedon, who knows first-hand what it’s like to experience a brain injury, this series taps into honest perspectives and practical information from people – like you - living and working with brain injury. For even more support, and to connect with the Synapse ...
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Voices of the Clinical Neuropsychology Community
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Join speech-language pathologists Rachel and Chris as they discuss supporting complex communication needs with alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) and assistive technology!
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Chantelle Hutchinson: Supporting Adult AAC Users with Acquired Brain Injuries
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This week, we share Rachel’s interview with Chantelle Hutchinson (@dysphagiacommunity)! Chantelle is a Speech-Language Pathologist who works with adults with acquired brain injury and progressive neurological conditions. She shares about some of the factors that make working with clients with acquired brain injuries, like traumatic brain injury (TB…
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You Need to Understand that Life is Different
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After a stroke, look for ways to be happy! That is the advice from Silas Allen, who survived a stroke and is a reporter for the Fort Worth Star Telegram covering educational news for Tarrant County. He found several tools to assist in writing for work, e.g. GoogleDocs, Otter.ai, etc. Silas felt mentally challenged with fatigue, relearning how to dr…
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Fairfax County Public Schools AT Team: Celebrating the Life of AAC Specialist Jeff Powers
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This week, we present Chris’s interview with some of the Fairfax County Public Schools AT Team: Jeff Sisk, Meaghan Tracy, Jennifer Carr, Ashley Kiley, and Colleen Kalamajka! They gather to share about the life of AAC/AT Specialist Jeff Powers, who passed away in 2023. They celebrate some of the many things he brought to his work with AAC, including…
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Tamsin Keyes on Research and Publications within the Charitable Sector
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Cliodhna and Ingram talk to Tamsin Keyes, Publications and Research Manager at Headway UK about her work in supporting the development of evidence in the field and promoting an understanding of brain injury.By Ingram Wright
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Yoosun Chung: Honoring an AAC User's Chosen Form of Communication
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This week, we share Chris’s interview with Dr. Yoosun Chung, former president of USSAAC, activist, professor at George Mason University, and AAC user! Dr. Chung shares about her journey from South Korea to the United States to learn English and pursue higher learning, her first introduction to high-tech AAC as a doctoral student in assistive techno…
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After brain injury, have you ever felt that you may need help in maintaining or strengthening your spiritual life? Talking with somebody like Chaplain Johnny Taylor may be the help you need. He has helped many with that process throughout his 28 year career as a chaplain and continues till this day as he now serves at UT Southwestern Hospital. Supp…
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Everyday is a challenge after a brain injury! Welcome bindwaves co-hosts Carrie & Kezia as they discuss common obstacles faced by brain injury survivors. The limitations each survivor faces vary due to the affected area. It is highly unlikely that two survivors would face the exact same challenges, e.g. relearning swallowing, speaking, walking, bat…
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Tiffany Joseph (Part 2): The Use of Gestalts in Acquiring Language as a Part-Time AAC User
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This week, we share part two of Rachel’s interview with Tiffany Joseph! Tiffany is an autistic mother of three neurodivergent teens, as well as an educator, advocate, and a part-time AAC User with inconsistent verbal speech. She shares about her experience as a gestalt language processor, how she thinks AAC could help students mitigate their gestal…
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Not Everyone Should be Driving After a Brain Injury
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There are reasons why the Department of Public Safety (DPS) may deny your request to resume driving. Listen to Christine Nelson who is a licensed rehab specialist and a manager at PATE. Several reasons why a person may not pass a driving test are memory lapses, anger issues, spatial issues between cars, and the failure to execute certain strategies…
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Tiffany Joseph (Part 1): Educating and Supporting AAC Users as a Part-Time AAC User
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This week, we present Part 1 of Rachel’s interview with the amazing Tiffany Joseph (@nigh.functioning.autism)! Tiffany is an autistic mother of three neurodivergent teens, as well as an educator, advocate, and a part-time AAC User with inconsistent verbal speech. She explains more about situations when verbal speech becomes difficult, the ways that…
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There is no substitute for real-life driving! Our guest today is Alice Petranek, an Occupational Therapist, who works at Rehab Without walls. She is a founding member of BIN board of Directors. She believes that resume driving is a set of sense skills in perception, vision, and coordination… all at the same time. Alice is clear that safety is the m…
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Be patient and take time to get your confidence back to drive. Welcome back Mr. Brandon Higgs, co-owner of H & T Driver Rehabilitation, which is a driving-specific occupational therapy business. They do clinical testing and behind-the-wheel evaluations designed to give survivors an idea if it would be safe to return to driving. They can do all of t…
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Bob Sagoo: Empowering an AAC User as a Parent
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This week, Chris and Rachel interview Bob Sagoo! Bob is the father of Harchie, an 18-year-old young man with cerebral palsy who uses an AAC device with eye tracking to communicate (along with other modalities). Bob shares about Harchie’s AAC journey, Bob’s work to get Harchie mainstreamed in school, Harchie going to college, and more! Before the in…
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Who Decides When It Is Time to Resume Driving?
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There is no right answer to this question, but Brandon Higgs will shed light on some of the issues in today’s program. He is a co-owner of H&T Driver Rehabilitation Specialists and is certified for comprehensive rehabilitation services (CRS). Brandon believes that occupational therapists are well suited to contribute to the decision to regain the i…
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Beth Moulam & Joanna Holmes: Recognizing AAC Users as Multimodal Communicators
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This week, we hear Chris’s interview with Beth Moulam and Joanna Holmes! Beth is a master student, former Paraolympian, a Trustee of Communication Matters (a branch of ISSAC), and patron of a charity called One Voice. She is a multi modal communicator who often uses AAC devices to communicate. Joanna (@mummyvsaac on Instagram) is the mother of Lucy…
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Dr Alex Lehn, Neurologist talks brain injury.
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Doctor Alex Lehn, Neurologist talks through cognitive pattens and how the brain works after a brain injury.By Synapse, Australia’s Brain Injury Organisation
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Tess specialises in working with people with brain injury. She addresses the common impacts of brain injury, and the various ways in which speech pathology can help. She also talks about not limiting yourself in terms of expectations of recovery.By Synapse, Australia’s Brain Injury Organisation
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Mental and emotional impacts of brain injury
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Cheryl was diagnosed with a brain tumour in her twenties - it has had significant impacts throughout her life, both ongoing physical and in terms of her mental and emotional wellbeing. She talks about the impact of a 'hidden' illness, and the need to grieve the things she's lost.By Synapse, Australia’s Brain Injury Organisation
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BI rehabilitation and understanding your own capacity.
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Carlo specialises in working with people with brain injury. He talks about how OT can help, the need to understand and work with the engagement issues intrinsic to ABI, and how it's essential that people are encouraged to understand their own capacity, rather than telling them what is possible.By Synapse, Australia’s Brain Injury Organisation
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Terry was very depressed after sustaining a brain injury, but gained a great deal from volunteering. He originally couldn't find his way around his own home, but now takes the bus and, when he gets lost, has developed strategies to relax and give himself the time and space to regroup.By Synapse, Australia’s Brain Injury Organisation
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Drive Well, Not for Yourself, but for Your Family
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Listen to Chris B, who advises listeners to go slow when restarting driving after a brain injury. Chris is a member of BIND and volunteers at Heritage Farms in Plano. He has a supportive family, who encouraged him to start driving. Chris remembers the feeling of waking up and recognizing that his hands worked properly so that he could drive. It too…
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Daniel O'Connor & Bradley Heaven: Creators of All Access Life, an Adaptive Product Nonprofit
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This week, Chris interviews Daniel O’Conner and Bradley Haven of All Access Life! All Access Life is a nonprofit that showcases the latest trends and movements in adaptive products and assistive technologies on their website allaccesslife.org. Daniel & Bradley share about how they met when Daniel was Bradley's Aide in high school (Bradley has nonve…
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Re-Release: What Happens Next After Brain Injury
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As we dive into Brain Injury Awareness Month, we're re-releasing the most watched and listened-to episodes, packed with a highlight of hope, inspiration, and resilience. On today's episode, we are re-releasing “What happens Next After Brain Injury” with Bernard, a great example of willingness to relearn even with all the the frustrations. You will …
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As we dive into Brain Injury Awareness Month, we're Re-releasing the most watched and listened-to episodes, packed with a highlight of hope, inspiration, and resilience. On today's episode, we are re-releasing “Independence is Key” with Livia, a great example of determination and independence in the face of difficulties. You will be hearing her ear…
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In honor of Brain Injury Awareness Month we are re-releasing our most popular episodes. On this episode, we talked with Amber Richarson who is an Occupational therapist and Community Relations Manager with Pate & Rehab without walls. We discuss all the many different options for brain injury rehabilitation therapy such as within a hospital, outpati…
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Breea Rosas: Neurodivergent Affirming Practices for School-Based Practitioners
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This week, we share Rachel’s interview with Breea Rosas! Breea is a school psychologist who works with educators on how they can implement neurodiversity affirming practices and neurodiversity affirming psychoeducation! Breea shares about the neurodiversity affirming approach and three key areas she works with educators and practitioners to address…
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Kelley Coleman - Pushing Back Against an Incorrect AAC Evaluation
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This week, Rachel interviews Kelley Coleman, speaker, author, and advocate! Kelley talks about her family’s AAC journey and her role as the mother of Aaron, a complex communicator in the 4th grade who uses AAC to communicate. She shares about her new book, Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child, as well as some of the high- an…
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In honor of Brain Injury Awareness Month, we are re-releasing our most popular episodes. Today you will be hearing our very first episode that was published on March 25th, 2021 “What is a Brain Injury?” You will re-meet Karl H. as a founding member of BIN and his knowledge on brain injury through 15 years of recovery 💚 🎙️ Do you want to support us?…
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Heidi Rabe - Supporting Switch Use for Clients with Complex Physical Needs
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This week, Rachel interviews Heidi Rabe, an SLP who specializes in supporting AAC users with complex bodies who use switches and scanning to communicate! Heidi shares a wealth of information about scanning and switches, including how to evaluate if a student needs a switch, working with PT/OT to find the right switch spot, using partner-assisted sc…
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Caitlin Armstrong: Writing a Persuasive AAC Initiative Proposal for School District Admins
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This week, Chris has a discussion with Caitlin Armstrong, an SLP in New Hampshire who contacted Chris asking about writing up an AAC Initiative proposal for her K-5 school district! Chris breaks down how she should approach the mission statement, ideas for making a more persuasive argument, and things to avoid (e.g. too much research up front). Bef…
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Listen to these inspirational stories from two members at BIND. Kezia and Olivia who are both young stroke survivors. They will tell you that every experience is different, and how to recognize that many brain injuries are invisible. In the podcast, you will hear how they persevere and overcome fatigue, difficulty in speech and cognitive tasks, mem…
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Rachel Madel & Chris Bugaj: ATIA Recap 2024 (Part 2)
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This week, Rachel and Chris continue their discussion about the highlights and takeaways from ATIA 2024! They share some of their favorite presentations and poster sessions from Lauren Enders, Brenda Del Monte, Bruce Alter, Tina & Mateo Moreno, Karanveer Singh, EdTech, and more! Key Ideas this Week: 🔑 The Joy Zabala Fellowship is an organization th…
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Enjoy listening to Gregg Grossman, Ph.D., who is a life coach, president of Beyond Perseverance, and author of Times of Perseverance: Hope and Healing on the Battlefields of Life. No stranger to brain injury, he had to recover from two car accidents over 10 years. Gregg explains how he uses mostly open-ended questions to build trust, spirit, and wh…
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Rachel Madel & Chris Bugaj: ATIA 2024 Recap (Part 1)
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This week, we share Part 1 of Chris and Rachel’s recap of their recent trip to ATIA 2024! Chris and Rachel discuss a recent change to ATIA’s venue, share resources and takeaways from the conference, talk about what they covered in their own sessions, and more! Key Ideas this week: 🔑 A lot of discussion at ATIA was about “Assistive Technology Myths …
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In today's episode Carrie and Kezia take the stage to offer their perspectives, not just as co-hosts but as stroke survivors and members of the Brain Injury Network. Reflecting on why BIN embarked on this podcast journey and the importance of providing a platform for survivors to break the silence surrounding brain injuries. They uncover the multif…
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Most members want to do a job well and improve what they do. This interview with BIND’s Executive Director, Brian White, explains the progress we have made in the past year, and looks forward to a bright future. Not only have we doubled our listening base with weekly podcasts, but we have been successful with our public events, efforts for fundrais…
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Mercy Wolverton: Solving Real-World Problems with 3D Printers
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This week, we share our interview with Mercy Wolverton! Mercy is a student at George Mason University who learned how to use her 3D printer in high school during a senior project seeking to solve real world problems! Mercy shares some of the websites and resources that she used to learn how to print in 3D, and how you can get started as quickly and…
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Aaron Marsters: Supporting Assistive Technology for Students on US Military Bases Across Europe
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Trigger Warning: This week’s banter includes some descriptions of trauma. If you would prefer to only listen to this week’s interview, please skip ahead to 27:19. This week, Chris interviews Aaron Marsters, an Assistive Technology Instructional Systems Specialist for Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA)! Aaron shares about his role supp…
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Talking With Tech's 300th Episode/1 Million Downloads Celebration
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This week, we share TWT's 300th Episode/1 Million Downloads Celebration! The whole TWT team (Rachel, Chris, Luke Padgett, Michaela Ball, and Monica Halchishick) gathered virtually with some of the coolest people we know (i.e. listeners and previous guests) to chat with us about AAC as we celebrate our our recent 1 millionth download! The TWT team a…
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Meredith Hankins, Morgan Payne, & Susan Lee - Creating a ”Girl Talk” AAC Social Group
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This week, we hear Chris’s interview with Meredith Hankins, Morgan Payne, and Susan Lee! Morgan is the mother of an 11 year old girl, Sophie, with Cerebral Palsy who uses AAC. Susan has a daughter, Alyssa, with Rett Syndrome who also uses AAC. Meredith is an AAC Specialist with United Ability in Alabama who works with their daughters and helped to …
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Vaughan Bell on neuropsychology's relationship with mental health and neuropsychiatry
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Dr Vaughan Bell is neuropsychologist in neuropsychiatry services and a clinical psychologist in psychosis services at the Maudsley Hospital in London. He also an academic at UCL where he researchers neuropsychiatric disorders and leads neuropsychology teaching within Clinical Psychology. Dr Bell argues that the roots of clinical neuropsychology lie…
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Kimberly Zajac: Creating Fun & Interactive Projects That Meet Learning Objectives & IEP Goals
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Kim Zajac is an SLP and audiologist is a Communication Specialist in Norton Public Schools in Massachusetts, working with grades 6-12. Kim is also an associated professor at Emerson and is a member of the board of MassCUE, the Massachusetts chapter of ISTE. Kim shares some of her strategies for making teaching and therapy sessions more inclusive, i…
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Chris, a member of BIN, believes that his disability cannot stop his destiny with his brain injury. He was born without sight but continued to study in college, worked, and lived independently before his brain injury. As his caregiver, his mom, Marilyn, joins us in the conversation to share her perspective. Support the Show. New episodes drop every…
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What does a Licensed Professional Counselor do?
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Kevan believes that any professional does not allow people to humiliate themselves in therapy, but rather, strives to obtain the most self-efficacy with the least intervention possible. These programs are varied, including testing, coaching, on-site observations, and specific skills such as art, speech, and computer instruction. Support the Show. N…
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Emma Fischer - Preparing for a New Career in Assistive Technology
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This week, Chris interviews Emma Fischer, a special education teacher in Culpeper County, Virginia who supports students in an adapted curriculum program. She enjoys supporting her student’s use of robust AAC, and she wanted to ask Chris about next steps in moving to a career in assistive technology, including possible Master’s Degree options and p…
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Kevan Beijan brings more than 20 years of licensed professional counseling (LCP) experience. He was an original BIN board member for five years and was instrumental in the decision to create a clubhouse for brain injury survivors. BIN is now a recognizable brand within the DFW medical community. Support the Show. New episodes drop every Thursday ev…
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Otto Lana: Autistic Advocate, Writer, Actor, and AAC User
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This week, Chris and Rachel interview Otto Lana (@otto_types), an autistic advocate who uses multiple modalities, including AAC, to communicate. Otto is also an intern at Kindred Communication (gokindred.com), which specializes in providing speech, language, and AAC coaching services. Otto shares about his AAC journey, why he believes literacy and …
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A super enjoyable chat with Mark Holloway, brain injury social worker.By Ingram Wright
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In his youth, Steve was a football player and still adores his home team! Today, as a BIND member, he shares his mantra that despite the challeges he has faced, never give up! Steve went through four different strokes with various symptoms, including fear, anxiety, balance, vision issues, blood clots, transfusions, and scary neck problems. One of t…
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Rémi Morin - Creating the Canadian-French Version of LAMP:WFL as a Parent
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This week, we share Chris and Rachel’s interview with Rémi Morin, father of a daughter who uses AAC user full time, a daughter who uses AAC part time, and a daughter who does not use AAC. He shares some of his many insights gained as the parent of an AAC user, including how he came across AAC as an option of this daughters, and, when he couldn’t fi…
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