The Importance of Speech

Re-learning to talk after my brain injury was a tremendously difficult and arduous feat. What few people realize is that, because of my circumstances, Speech-Language Pathologists were often my greatest ally and adversaries throughout the recovery process. So when I received an email from a student at NYC Long Island University inquiring about my experience, I had to respond and communicate that journey verbally!

 

Holding the Key to Rehabilitation and Recovery

Throughout my recovery journey, the inabilities to breathe, walk, and talk on my own were extremely difficult. But worse than all other things, was the inability to eat.

When you are unable to eat for months, primal instincts override rationality. Your emotions and desire for food get the better of you all the time…it’s all you can think about. Even worse, your brain and body depend on nutrition to fuel the rehabilitative work you’re doing. Knowing this fact, emaciated, underweight, and starving, I was the definition of “hangry” (Angry Hungry), and it was often my SLP who held the keys to my ability to eat.

I want to thank Diana for her email and questions on this subject, and I hope this quick interview helps to bring about a better understanding of speech-language pathology and how that changed my journey.

See/hear the podcast with my SLP: Kathryn Hayes:

Episode 43 – Speech, Language, and Neurology

See my post about my tracheal resection surgery adventure:

The Tracheal Resection Surgery That Gave Me My Voice Back: Slitting My Throat to Save My Life

Speech-Language Pathology – The TBI Patient Perspective