Health News For South West
Thursday, June 19, 2014
St Joseph's Health Care London
Hear Me
By communicating we give others a window into our world. Over 440,000 Canadians with communication disabilities affecting their speech, hearing, or ability to understand what is said to them need help from speech language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists to open their windows.
One way SLPs and audiologists at St. Joseph’s Parkwood Hospital help patients with communication challenges resulting from conditions like stroke, brain injury, dementia and Parkinson’s communicate is with assistive devices. These devices range from low-tech pen and paper to high-tech voice output devices.
After David Crew had a brainstem stroke in his 50s, he could no longer walk or talk. But his life turned around when an occupational therapist discovered he could move his thumb and index finger, allowing him to operate a switch control for a high tech assistive communication device.
Using this device David is now social, active and an outspoken self-advocate. He communicates his care needs, makes personal decisions, tells jokes, participates in recreational activities, and participates in presentations to medical students to help them gain a better understanding of communication disabilities.
“The assistive device gave David a voice,” says SLP Penny Welch-West. “Without it his strengths in communication, memory and capability would surely have been masked.”
Through his device David controls his television, DVD player, and power wheelchair, sends emails and surfs the web. When asked about the difference the assistive device is making in his life, David says, “Is there a difference between night and day?”
Media Contacts:
Anne Kay, Communication and Public Affairs
St. Joseph’s Health Care, London
519-685-4292 ext 42470
Anne.kay@sjhc.london.on.ca
© 2025, thehealthline.ca All rights reserved.