The Magic Happened after the Presentation Ended
Aphasia Awareness through Stories
On June 16, 2026, three National Aphasia Association Ambassadors came together at Scranton Library in Madison, Connecticut, to talk about aphasia.
Our goals were simple.
We wanted people to learn what aphasia is and why it matters. Aphasia affects about two million Americans, often after a stroke or other brain injury. Yet many people have never heard the word “aphasia.”
Speech-language pathologist Shari Mayerson explained aphasia, and Paula Gallagher and I shared our personal experiences of rebuilding language, reading, writing, and our lives after stroke.
About 75 people attended.
The presentation generated thoughtful questions and comments. People wanted to understand aphasia better. They wanted to know what recovery looks like and what life is like after a stroke.
We were proud of that.
But the most important part of the afternoon happened after the presentation ended.
The Connection after the Presentation
People didn’t leave.
They stayed.
For nearly an hour, small conversations formed throughout the room.
People with aphasia talked to other people with aphasia. Caregivers found other caregivers. Families shared their stories. Friends listened and joined the conversations.
People had traveled from communities well beyond Madison. Many had received speech therapy locally at Gaylord Healthcare and Outpatient Clinics. Even after therapy, they were looking for something more.
They were looking for a connection.
Some people wanted help finding therapy.
Some asked about support groups.
One person wondered whether a similar program could be started in another part of Connecticut.
Others simply wanted to meet someone who understood what living with aphasia is really like.
Awareness Matters. Connection Matters.
Those conversations reminded us why we organized this event.
We hoped people would learn about aphasia; we discovered they needed to find connection.
The presentation ended.
The conversations had just begun.
The most important lesson we learned on June 16 was simple…
Awareness matters; So does connection.
Continue Reading
If you’re living with aphasia, caring for someone with aphasia, or simply want to learn more, you’ll find additional articles about recovery, communication, technology, and everyday life throughout the website and blog: Aphasia at Home.