Posts by Laura Malis
Sunflower Lanyard helps with Hidden Disabilities
Making the Invisible Visible How the Sunflower Lanyard Helps People With Hidden Disabilities I was going to write a long blog post explaining the Sunflower Lanyard — but I don’t need to. Aphasia Phil and Glory Gresham have already created an excellent video that breaks down how the lanyard works and why it matters for…
Read MoreAphasia Stroke. Perfect vs. Imperfect.
Perfect vs. Imperfect: What Japan Taught Me About Being Human A story about culture, expectations, and learning to feel whole again The Search for ‘Perfection’ In the United States, we grow up surrounded by a kind of quiet pressure: be efficient, be productive, be strong, be clear, be on time, be better. For many of…
Read MoreAphasia and Balance Problems Walking with Poles
Balance Walking Poles. Aphasia on the Road Strong on the Way to Michigan On our drive toward Michigan, I had a fantastic surprise: a really good walk.Three miles in Erie, PA. The weather was cool—53°F—perfect for moving and feeling alive. Walking With Poles: My Everyday Support These days, I never walk without my walking poles.…
Read MoreBrain injury and aphasia recovery. Work hard. Worth it.
Both traumatic brain injury and aphasia affected by Kitty Tong Today, I want you to meet Kitty Tong, a young woman whose life changed forever in 2018 when she was struck by a car while walking home from work. Kitty survived a traumatic brain injury (TBI), years without speech, and the long, exhausting work of…
Read More2 million people in the United States have aphasia
Aphasia on the Connecticut Shoreline: What It Is, Who It Affects, and How to Get Help What Is Aphasia? Aphasia is a language disorder caused by damage to the brain. It can affect speaking, listening, reading, and writing, but it does not affect intelligence. More than 2 million people in the United States live with…
Read MoreSix people with aphasia shared their achievements
Surviving and Thriving with Aphasia: Stories of Strength, Recovery, and Hope Living with aphasia can feel like entering a new world of communication — one that requires patience, creativity, and courage. In this post, I’m sharing highlights from the Speaking Out! convention and what the session “Surviving and Thriving with Aphasia” taught me about resilience,…
Read MoreAphasia Vacation
My Aphasia Vacation On my aphasia vacation, I spent a month exploring life in Michigan. It was a blast. We hiked in state parks. We filled our camper van, our shoes and our feet with sand from the dunes of Lake Michigan. We climbed a couple of lighthouses and collected 30 pounds of rocks. (In…
Read MoreGlobal Aphasia
Aphasia on the Road: Ryan and Jess’s Journey of Hope Exploring Michigan, understanding Global Aphasia, and celebrating courage and connection. Right now, I’m on vacation in Michigan, traveling in our camping van and enjoying the beauty of the state and city parks. Between hunting for Petoskey rocks, wandering through farmers markets, and climbing the dunes…
Read MoreAphasia Speaking Out
Aphasia Speaking Out 2025. Free. Aphasia at Home or as a group Whether you’re a person with aphasia, a care partner, a student, or a professional, this event is for you. And the National Aphasia Association says “it’s more than just a conference. It’s a celebration of connection, creativity, and communication.” You are invited for…
Read MoreMy Speech Therapist Taught me about Spoon Theory
Spoon Theory helped … a lot. The Spoon Theory was invented by Christine Miserandino, an award-winning lupus patient advocate and writer. Christine explained how ordinary activities can consume more energy for someone with a chronic condition, forcing them to make difficult choices about how to spend their limited “spoons”. Spoon Theory helps individuals communicate their…
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