Here is Kitty’s story and how she stayed motivated, in her own words.

From the brain injury, I have aphasia. Aphasia affects comprehension and communication—reading, speaking, or writing. It’s a disorder resulting from damage or injury to a specific area of the brain.

The Power of Support, Therapy, and Practice

My co-worker/best friend/caregiver helps me—with Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy. We work on memory—Connect 4, Sequence, and Jenga. We also worked on language — 5-Second Rules, Wiz Kids, Brain Quest, 120 Pronoun, Alphabet & Phonics, Ellen Game, and Scattergories. We read children’s books, read newspapers and magazines out loud, and listen to podcasts.

Finding Constant Therapy — “One Day, One Dollar”

In the last two years, I found and have been using Constant Therapy. It is so cool—$29.99 per month. “It is one day, one dollar!” I was so excited to find the program. Every day, I clicked “Everyday Skills” for one hour. For example, “Understand Voicemail”. Constant Therapy will speak the voice message and ask the questions. Another example, “Read Multiple Paragraphs”. It will show a document and ask questions. It is really useful! “One day one dollar” really helps!

Creativity, Music, and the Right Brain

My left brain is scattered but my right brain works well. I use aids like text-to-speech and translation. When I was hospitalized, my speaking voice was silent but I sang. Art and music help! Last October, I did my first art show, called Art on the Avenue in Virginia, and sold twelve paintings. In the last few months, my caregiver and I were chosen to speak at a presentation, “Brain Plasticity”, at Meeting Professionals International, and I was featured to present “What is Aphasia”, “Different Abilities”, “Survivor” and “Top 10 with Aphasia” to Boston University, International Aphasia Movement and Brain Injury Services.I also have a  YouTube channel, “S.A.Y.—Younger Aphasia Group”, with over 4000 views. I interview medical professionals – OTs, PTs, SLPs – and younger survivors of TBI, stroke, and aneurysm with aphasia.

“I Am Being Reborn Into a New Me”

“I am being reborn into a new me. Year by year, I felt like I was a baby, relearning everything. Now, I am a teenager, and processing and learning new things. In the future, I will be an adult and be working again.”

A Message to Other Survivors

If you are facing a long recovery like me, keep on going. Don’t give up. Losing language does not mean I cannot communicate. I am still me.