October2013_SpeakOut

SPWeek celebrations

The WA Branch SPWeek Launch Event attendees were inspired by guest speaker Shane Hopkins, who shared his positive story of rehabilitation and future aspirations after a stroke last year, and Gerri Harris, who shared her rewarding experiences and journey as a speech pathologist.

Twenty speechies ran in the 2013 City to Surf during SPWeek to raise money for Communicate WA. The team participated in a range of walking and running events, and some even braved a half marathon, with over $6000 raised.

Trevor Strickland was awarded WA Inspirational Carer of the Year, for his unwavering support and advocacy as a primary carer for his mother who has suffered with severe communication difficulties and dysphagia.

WA Inspirational Client of the Year was awarded to five-year-old Liam Knights, who has autism and apraxia of speech, and whose continued motivation and hard work in therapy has produced great gains.

The speech pathologists and speech pathology students at Nulsen arranged a lunch and gave a presentation on the areas of practice in speech pathology, incorporating Social Role Valorisation theory and the WHO-ICF with the speech pathologist’s role in supporting adults with profound disabilities, as well as what signs to look out for that may indicate that a speech pathology referral/ review may be required.

Hollywood Hospital started the conversation with a main entrance display – including The Great Australian Communication Story, communication accessibility information, and examples of patient “chat books”, “chat sheets” and “walking programs”.

Royal Perth Hospital SPs ran an ‘interactive’ display where they mingled with the public, gave out dysphagia-friendly snacks and drinks, familiarised people with AAC, and got people involved in a ‘Communication Quiz’. Thursday saw a special screening of ‘ Aphasia ’ the movie (starring Carl McIntyre) with more than a few tears shed.

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Speak Out October 2013

Speech Pathology Australia