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Board Chair and Executive Director Report

As we end our 29th year of service, we look forward to a momentous milestone –celebrating our 30th anniversary. As Chairand Executive Director, we are honored to be associated with the Aphasia Institute andits many achievements over the last threedecades. As you read this report, you canlearn more about the highlights, challengesand financial position of the agency over the last year and catch a glimpse of the wonderful team dedicated to carrying out the agency’s mission. You can also join us in looking back over our history, learningabout our research, clinical and educationalprograms, and meeting some of the peoplewho are at the centre of all that we do – our clients.

The Aphasia Institute continues to dev-elop and share solutions to the challengesfaced by individuals and families living with aphasia. Over the past three decades,solutions have included turning many innovative ideas into practice. Examples of this innovation are the establishment of a community centre without language barriers for people with aphasia; recognizingthe importance of conversation in daily lifeand providing conversation groups wherepeople with aphasia have the opportunity to participate in something that most of us take for granted. We have developedinternationally acknowledged training methods and specialized pictographicresources that can be used by conversationpartners (service providers, volunteers, families) as well as by people with aphasia.Most recently we have developed a concep-tual guide for thinking about outcome

measurement in aphasia (Living withAphasia: Framework for OutcomeMeasurement (A-FROM)) which was used as the impetus for an international ThinkTank hosted by the Aphasia Institute. When looking at these examples, it may be hard for some to even imagine that in our early days, the whole idea of ongoingsupport for those living with aphasia was not considered viable in a healthcare systemwhere you discharged anyone who could not be ‘cured’.

We would not be talking of achieve-ments today if it were not for the work ofFounder Patricia (Pat) Ann Arato. Patfounded what is now known as the AphasiaInstitute on the 4th November 1979. Byhappy coincidence, our 30th year celebra-tion, Giving Voice, will take place on thisexact date – 4th November, 2009. It wasPat’s vision to awaken hope and inspirationfor all individuals and families affected by aphasia that created this organizationdedicated to service, education and researchexcellence and that continues to sustain ittoday. We could not have accomplished our goals without the assistance of manyindividuals and organizations along the way.We applaud the dedication of our staff andvolunteers in achieving the vision of theInstitute as a place of “hope” for peopleaffected by aphasia, their families, and thehealth professionals who care for them. Wealso express our gratitude for the support of our major funding partner – the Ministryof Health and Long-Term Care via theCentral Local Health Integration Network.Other critical support has come from the

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario,the Ontario Stroke Network, and theSeniors Health Research Transfer Network.Their investments in our work have made itpossible to develop and share our innovativesolutions to living successfully with aphasiaboth here in Canada and internationally.

The Board of Directors and the staff of the Aphasia Institute are currentlyengaged in a strategic planning process and look forward to unveiling new andrefreshed strategic directions in late 2009.We continue to explore opportunities forcollaboration with other organizations tohelp improve Ontario’s health care system.

At the end of the day, what we valuemost is the true partnership between thoseliving with and affected by aphasia, our staff, volunteers, health care providers andthe larger community. Our clients, bothindividuals with aphasia and their families,continue to make us aware of the challengesand barriers stroke and aphasia present and the importance of ‘communicativeaccess’ as a necessary ingredient in an equitable health system. We thank them forsharing their knowledge with us and areexcited about the opportunities that lie inthe year ahead.

Jane Brenneman Gibson, Board Chair

Aura Kagan, Ph.D., Executive Director

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Jane BrennemanGibson, Board Chair

Aura Kagan, Executive Director

Copyright © Aphasia Institute 2009Vision Statement

What is aphasia?

Aphasia (uh-fay’-zhuh) is an acquiredcommunication disorder caused by an injury to the brain that affects aperson’s ability to communicate. It is most often the result of stroke orhead injury. Individuals with aphasiamay have difficulty expressing themselves when speaking, difficultyunderstanding the speech of others,and difficulty reading and writing.People with aphasia are intelligent,competent individuals who still have the ability to think and makedecisions. Sadly, aphasia often masks a person’s intelligence and ability to communicate feelings, thoughtsand emotions.

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Our HistoryPat Arato founded the Aphasia Institute in 1979 afterher husband, Oscar acquired aphasia from a stroke.Inspired by actor and stroke survivor Patricia Neal, sherejected the option of institutionalizing Oscar. “Aphasiais not life threatening,” she says, “but it stops peoplefrom having a life.”

Together with three volunteers, Pat worked withOscar and six other adults with aphasia to overcome the language barriers this disorder creates and to enablecommunication; the most essential feature of humanity.Pat was a 2004 recipient of the Order of Ontario forher work with people with aphasia.

In the mid 1990’s, the Institute created SupportedConversation for Adults with Aphasia (SCA™), an Ontario-made solution that allows people with communication disorders to engage in conversation,break down communication barriers and participate in every aspect of life. SCA™ is designed to ensure that people who “know more than they can say” feel as though their competence is acknowledged, and to enable the accurate exchange of information, opinions and feelings.

Pat Arato and Aura Kagan

COME

THISWAY

APHASIA

Mission Statement : What we doThe Aphasia Institute is an internationally recognized Canadian resource that works in partnership with communities andothers to break down language barriers, build communication ramps and rebuild lives for those affected by aphasia.

a partnership with community and others

build communication rampsto break down language barriers

FUTURE

You and your family

Life!

and rebuild livesCopyright © Aphasia Institute 2009Mission Statement

communicative access

Synergy of ServiceThe Aphasia Institute serves as a community and provincial, national andinternational resource. Our ‘synergy of service’ is the key to our success as we are able to leverage every aspect of our service delivery model.

• Direct Service (includes the Pat Arato Aphasia Centre andOutreach Program) – These services (based on the Life ParticipationApproach to Aphasia) are provided directly to individuals with aphasia and their families both onsite at the Aphasia Institute andvia the Outreach Programs. Both service vehicles are funded by the Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).

• Education, Awareness, Training and Resources – Services providedinclude onsite training, various aphasia-friendly resources, and partnerships related to aphasia training and information sharing.

• Applied Research and Innovation – We conduct research related to living successfully with aphasia.

An example of our synergy of service:

The Talking To Your Doctor booklet is an interactive aphasia-friendlyresources developed as an applicationof research to enable communicativeaccess between people with aphasia and their healthcare providers. Afterdiscussions with clients, we realized the need to help people with aphasiamore effectively access healthcare using the resource.

We then piloted a program to helpour clients practice the skills required to participate more actively in their ownhealthcare using the Talking To Your Doctor resource. We presented on the pilot program at two conferences entitledCommunity Reintegration after Stroke.

Aphasia Institute - Providing leadership in developing and sharing innovative solutions to living successfully with aphasia

Purpose Statement

LEADERSHIP

and

INNOVATION

AISAHPA

APHASIA INSTITUTE

OUR PURPOSE

Copyright © Aphasia Institute 2009Purpose Statement

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Music transcends our daily routine.It provides an opportunity to be uplifted,to feel revived and rejuvenated.“

Carolyn Williams – Music Therapist

Carolyn stumbled upon a career in music therapy while waiting in a guidance counsellor office during her last year in high school. All she knew about music therapy was that it involved working with people and music. Since she enjoyed both, she thought she’d give it a try.

Carolyn leads three music groups: Drum Circle, which explores rhythm, creativity and music-making;Ringers & Singers, where participants play hand bells and sing songs together; and Songwriting, a group that explores creativity through music and creative writing. The groups allow clients – regardless of their level of aphasia – to engage and actively participate.

Carolyn’s engaging personality lends itself to the music programs. A flexible approach is often required in order to be sensitive to clients’ needs as well as to better embrace the creative process.

“Music transcends our daily routine,” Carolyn explains, adding, “It provides an opportunity to be uplifted, to feel revived and rejuvenated.” People with aphasia are bombarded every day with the challenge of trying to communicate with the world around them. “Music cuts through all of that,” Carolyn goes on to say, “it offers an expression for what people are feeling.”

To illustrate the point, Carolyn refers to the Ringers and Singers group, where participants choose a song to sing or perform. Every week, one particular participant chooses “Oh what a Beautiful Morning”, the lyrics include the line, “I’ve got a beautiful feeling, everything’s going my way.” Unlike the lyrics, noteverything has gone this client’s way. As a stroke survivor living with aphasia, he has had his share of challenges. Carolyn explains; “People with aphasia may not be able to use words to communicate, but perhaps a certain song or the way they’re able to play their instrument allows them to express what they’refeeling.” This client’s song choice reflects the spirit in which he chooses to embrace each new day, challenges and all.

Music fills a large part of Carolyn’s life. She belongs to the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, Canada’s first professional chorale dedicated to all styles of Afrocentric music. The chorale had the privilege of performing onthe Canadian Embassy steps during President Barack Obama’s inauguration festivities in Washington, D.C.this past January.

Life Participation Approach to Aphasia(LPAA)

The Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (LPAA)is a general philosophy and model of service delivery. LPAA calls for a focus on re-engagement in life, beginning with initial assessment and intervention, and continuing after hospital discharge. LPAA places the life concerns of thoseaffected by aphasia at the centre of all decision-making, empowering the consumer to select and participate in the recovery process and to collaborate on the design of interventions that aim for a more rapid return to active life.

Core components of the LPAA:

1. Explicit goal is enhancement of life participation.

2. Services are available to all affected by aphasia.

3. Assessment and intervention targets, personal and environmental factors.

4. Success is measured by documented life changes.

5. Services are available as needed at all stages.

LPAA Project Group (Chapey, R., Duchan, J. F.,Elman, R. J., Garcia, L. J., Kagan, A., Lyon, J., &Simmons Mackie, N.).(2000). Life participationapproach to aphasia: A statement of values for thefuture. ASHA Leader, 5(3), 4-6. Retrieved October 9,2007 from http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/LPAA.htm (Reprinted in Chapey, R. (Ed.).(2001). Language intervention strategies in aphasiaand related neurogenic communication disorders.Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.)

Who We Are

Music transcends our daily routine.It provides an opportunity to be uplifted,to feel revived and rejuvenated.

Introductory Program

The Introductory Program is a 12-week education and support program for people with aphasia and theirfamilies. The goal of the program is to provide a peer-group framework for conversations about aphasiain relation to plans for clients with aphasia and theirfamilies. Family members (or ‘emotionally related’ people in the social community) of the person withaphasia receive education and SCA™ training in theFamily and Friends Education and Support Groupfacilitated by a social worker and a speech-languagepathologist. Clients and their families receive profes-sional support and learn techniques that help to facilitate communication, build ramps, improve coping skills and restore confidence.

Community Aphasia Program (CAP)

CAP offers a variety of ongoing programs designed to meet the needs of individuals with aphasia. CAPprograms support clients in their communicationprogress, provide opportunities for self-expression and strive to enhance well-being and quality of life.Programs include conversation groups, art classes,music program, creative communication, exercise, skill building, recreational activities, drop-in groups,and a Toastmasters International Aphasia Gavel Club.

A number of new programs were added to CAP this past year:

• Creative Expressions – A means of emotionalexpression through creative arts

• Personal Best – Focusing on wellness and personalhealth choices

• Life is Larger than Aphasia: Victories & Challenges – A forum to discuss and receive support for issues related to living with aphasia (co-facilitated by a Speech Language Pathologist and Social Worker)

• Healthy Eating Program – Providing a wide rangeof communicatively accessible nutrition informationbased on Canada’s Food Guide

• Music Appreciation – A forum for clients to listento and discuss various types of music

• Individual Computer Sessions – Clients work one-on-one with a volunteer or student to develop andenhance computer skills in areas including use ofthe Internet, email, word processing and graphics

• Talking To Your Doctor Support Group – Helpingclients practice the skills required to participate more actively in their own healthcare

Outreach Program

The Outreach Program expands our reach in reducinglanguage barriers and promoting full life participationfor adults with aphasia. The program has two maincomponents – Partnership Agency Training and the In-Home Visit Program. The Partnership AgencyTraining Program works to assist communities in theGreater Toronto Area to become self-sustaining in thearea of communicatively accessible services, supportand information. The Aphasia Institute partners withlong-term care homes and adult day programs to provide training and consultation to staff working with individuals with aphasia. The In-Home VisitProgram reaches individuals living with aphasia, whohave not accessed, or are unable to access AphasiaInstitute programs, to provide communicatively accessibleopportunities, inspire hope and encourage life partici-pation. Communication facilitators are matched withindividuals with aphasia, and provide weekly visits forthe purpose of engaging in conversation.

Peer Helper Program

The Peer Helper program trains and develops a groupof peer leaders who then work in partnership with staffand volunteers in providing support to people new to

living with aphasia. Peer leaders draw on their own lifeexperiences to provide support and education to clientsat the Aphasia Institute. Peer leaders are ambassadorsfor the Institute and help to create a warm, friendlyand welcoming environment.

Training and Education for HealthcareProfessionals

Working with clients with aphasia can be challenging forhealthcare professionals across the continuum of care. Since2003, the Aphasia Institute has been training clinicianshow to help their clients overcome the communicationbarriers aphasia creates and re-engage in everyday life.

The Aphasia Institute is proud to be an approvedContinuing Education Provider with the AmericanSpeech-Language-Hearing Association. The core of training is a two-day workshop designed to provide healthcare professionals with the essential principles and techniques of Supported Conversationfor Adults with Aphasia (SCA™.) Additional workshops teach trainees how to apply SCA™ to such clinical situations as assessment, counselling, group therapy, and working with clients and their primary communication partners.

This past year, healthcare professionals attended training from Canada, Australia, Denmark, Japan,Finland, the UK, and USA. Many attended all eightworkshops during two week-long Full TrainingInstitutes (offered in March and October.) Half of all attendees were speech-language pathologists butother disciplines included social work, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, personal supportworkers, communication disorder assistants and neuropsychology were presented. Training revenue increased over 30% this past year.

What We Do

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Presentations

• Inter-urban Stroke Academic AssociationConference

• National Aphasia Association

• Clinical Aphasiology Conference

• Peterborough Regional Health Conference)

• OCSA Client Intervention Subcommittee

• GTA Rehab Network: Best Practices Day

Aphasia-friendly Resources

Aphasia-friendly resources help healthcare professionalswho work with people with aphasia or other communica-tion disorders, and people with limited English. Theresources are based on the concepts of SCA™ and helphealthcare professionals, people with aphasia and familymembers communicate more effectively.

This past year, five new French translations of the “Talking to Your” serieswere added to the inventorylist. A distribution partnershipwas established with Psycan, anational distributor of educa-tional and clinical resources for the “Talking To YourNurse” resource. The top sellers this past year were“Talking to Your Doctor”,“What is Aphasia?” and “Life is Larger than Aphasia”.Resource revenue increased28% over last year with 40% of sales going to new customers.

Examples of the impact of training and resources:

• A Toronto area hospital created posters withpatient discharge and patient rights informationfor patients with communication challenges. The Pictographic Residents’ Bill of Rights posterdeveloped by the Aphasia Institute in 2006,inspired this pilot project.

• 65 healthcare professionals in the ChamplainRegional Stroke Program in Ontario attendedthree SCA™ training workshops led by a “Train the Trainer” graduate

• The North East Ontario Stroke Network distributed the “Life is Larger than Aphasia” and“What is Aphasia” resources in four hospitals,two nursing homes and a Community CareAccess Centre to clinicians who had completedSCA™ module training.

• A stroke rehab team in Scotland used thePictographic Communication Resource Binder(PCR) to assemble trolleys containing useful pictographic resources for patients, staff, familyand friends on each stroke unit in their region.

• As a result of a three-day training workshop ledby Dr. Aura Kagan in Sweden in June 2008, an article was published about A-FROM and the ALA in a Swedish journal reaching 1,000speech-language pathologists

• Two training graduates translated the Train the Trainer modules into Finnish and trained 120 staff in SCA™ in Finland in March

Research and Development activities over the past year

The 2008/09 fiscal year has been a productive periodfor the Aphasia Institute’s research team.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of theMinistry of Health and Long-Term Care (via theOntario Stroke Network) which has enabled us to:

1. Complete the development of a set of simple and practical Communicative Access Measures forStroke. These measures may be useful in developinghealth equity plans, accreditation planning, servicequality improvement initiatives and continuing education needs assessments related to stroke care in various healthcare settings. The measures includethree questionnaires for evaluating status and satis-faction with communicative access in stroke care:

• Facility/Unit version (Policies and Procedures)

• Staff version (Frontline Practice)

• Patient version (Pictographic Patient Satisfaction)

2. Initiate a project entitled Psychometric evaluation of the ‘Assessment for Living with Aphasia’ (ALA).This is the second phase of a larger research pro-gram, building on development and pilot evaluationof this innovative pictographic tool designed toexpand the traditional range of aphasia treatmentoutcome domains to align with the World HealthOrganization’s International Classification ofFunction, Disability and Health (ICF).

Frenchresources

The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario providedfunding to begin work on an ambitious set of researchgoals for an international think tank spearheaded bythe Aphasia Institute. This grant, which ends August2010, has already had an impact. For example, itallowed us to host a pre-conference event at the 2009Clinical Aphasiology Conference where, via the servicesof a expert facilitator, we were able to bring together alarge international group of researchers and academics.This group was able to identify common outcomes fordifferent intervention approaches. These approachesmay be provided at different stages of recovery and togenerate ideas on how researchers might collaborate to gather evidence related to these common outcomecriteria/domains.

The Aphasia Institute is also part of a large national study – Getting on with the rest of your lifeafter stroke – funded by the Canadian Stroke Network.This study evaluates community support for stroke survivors and is one of the largest ever undertaken. We are privileged to be a part of it.

Year in Review

Aging At Home Initiative

In 2008, the Central LHIN received $106.5 million of the $700 million dollar provincial Aging At Homestrategy to provide seniors and their caregivers with an integrated continuum of community-based services to enable them to stay healthy and live moreindependently in their homes. In response to this three year initiative, we submitted a proposal and have since completed year one of a multi-faceted project entitled, Reducing language barriers and increasing communicative access and participation inhealthcare and the community: Innovative solutions for Central LHIN seniors.”

This included three components:

• The training of 30 healthcare providers in SCA™(Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia):The training was geared to front line workers whohelp seniors with communication barriers navigatethrough the healthcare system. The participantsincluded intake and referral staff, case managersand social workers, among others. During year-twowe will provide SCA™ training to an additional36 healthcare professionals.

• We continued to use our Community of Practice(CoP), Communicative Access and Aphasia to linkhealthcare professionals, researchers, and frontline workers with online SCA™ training modules andeach other. This included fireside chats in lectureformat, providing clients with an introduction to CoP as well as background knowledge to communicative access and aphasia. Feedback froman online needs assessment questionnaire helped us identify new activities to improving commu-nicative access. The CoP leverages aninvestment alreadymade by theMinistry of Healthand Long-TermCare throughSHRTN (SeniorsHealth ResearchTransfer Network)

• The development of 15 aphasia-friendly/commu-nicatively accessible resources: Organizations within the Central LHIN were surveyed to identify the resources they would find most usefulwhen working with clients with communicationbarriers. The feedback enabled our pictographicresource team to develop resources on topics suchas medication, falls prevention, continence care,activities of daily living, swallowing, medical tests, information about stroke and aphasia,healthy eating, meals on wheels, recreation andleisure, transportation, death and dying and discharge planning. Work has begun to develop an additional 18 pictographic resources duringyear-two of this three-year initiative.

Open Space Collaboration Project in Central LHIN

This past year, we have been partnering with NorthYork General Hospital and a dozen North York area

community support services (CSS)organizations to work on concrete proposals for better utilization of community resources. Two areas designated as key priorities are hospitaloverload in the emergency departmentand additional resources to assist those requiring Alternative Levels ofCare (ALC). On behalf of the otherCSS organizations, North YorkGeneral Hospital and the AphasiaInstitute have submitted a request for ongoing funding so that this collaboration can continue.

Living at Home – aphasia-friendly/communicatively accessible resources

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Interprofessional Information Sessions

We identified a need to reach healthcare professionals who might not be aware of what is offered at the Aphasia Institute, and beganvisiting healthcare facilities and community agencies in the GTA toprovide multi-media information sessions. The presenters providedinformation about aphasia and offered an overview of the programs,services, training options and aphasia-friendly resources available atthe Aphasia Institute. In a new initiative this year, staff co-presentedwith clients of the Peer Leader group who drew from their own experiences of living successfully with aphasia because of the challenges they had been able to overcome. This addition made a dramatic impact to the overall presentation and put a face and voice to an often-unrecognized language problem, even within the healthcare sector.

CBC Radio One – Definitely not the Opera

In September 2008, the Aphasia Institute had a wonderful oppor-tunity to raise awareness about aphasia through media during a segment of CBC Radio One’s, Definitely Not the Opera (DNTO).Producer Nick Purdon interviewed our client Sou Mee Tse (knownmostly as Tse) with one of our speech-language pathologists. This DNTO segment was about the power of singing in a group, particularly for people living with more severe aphasia.

March of Dimes Stroke Survivors “From Your View” Photo Contest Finalist

In March 2009, our communicative disorder assistant submitted two photos to the March of Dimes stroke Survivor’s photo contest.Stroke survivors and their family members were asked to submit photos that focussed on how surviving a stroke has changed their view on disability and daily life. “Steppin’ Up!” featuring some of the clients in our Cardio Step program was selected as one of fourrunners-up in the contest. The photo is a wonderful snap shot of the life participation approach to aphasia.

Aphasia Awareness

Steppin’ Up – cardio class

Celebrating Our Events

Aphasia Camp 2008

A new camp experience for people with aphasia,their families and friends, was held last fall, with seven clients attending. This relaxing weekendretreat took place at Tim Horton Onondaga Farms, in the picturesque countryside of St. George.Attendees participated in recreational activities and educational sessions to learn, and share their experiences of living with aphasia.

Sponsored by the March of Dimes and The Adult Recreation Therapy Centre (A.R.T.C.)Brantford, this popular event will take place again in September 2009 and will be attended by more of our clients.

Walk, Talk ’n Roll 2009 – The Toronto Challenge

Since 1997, clients, family members, volunteers, staffand board members have participated in the annualWalk, Talk, ‘n Roll fundraising event (part of theToronto Challenge Charity Run). We thank the manyloyal supporters and participants of this event for their generous support of our innovative programs and services for people with, and affected by aphasia.

This year, event participation kicked off with anin-house launch in April. Clients trained by walkingat the Institute or in their neighbourhoods and thenlogging their kilometres. The walk took place on 14 June and records were broken in participation,

number of pledges andtotal money raised. Therewere over 80 participantsthis year, many wearing30th Anniversary t-shirts.They collected 668 pledgesand raised over $38,000.

Special thanks to PeerLeader Donna Brown, who collected event prizesfrom Christian Dior,Tommy Hilfiger, CotyPrestige, PMA Canada,and many others for thisevent.

Please plan to partici-pate in the next Walk, Talk ‘n Roll next spring,Saturday 13 June 2010.

Forsythe Cup Golf Tournament 2008

The Forsythe Cup began in 1999 as a nine hole eventfor some friends to get together and compete for theCup. It has since grown to a full shotgun tournament,which sponsors a free “Swing Into Recovery” golf clinicfor stroke and brain injury survivors and includes raffles, prizes dinner and silent auction.

The 2008 Forsythe Cup took place 5 October at Angus Glen Golf Course and was a tremendoussuccess with everyone getting a chance to participatewhether they golfed in the tournament or took part in the “Swing Into Recovery” clinic. The eventculminated with participants gathering together atday’s end for dinner and awards.

A special thank you to Paul Bussiere and theJones family who work very hard to organize theForsythe cup each year. The Forsythe Cup takesplace 18 October 2009 at Coppinwood Golf Club,an exclusive private club north of Toronto.

For more information or to register, visitwww.forsythecup.com.Walk, Talk ’n Roll 2009 – The Toronto Challenge

Forsythe Cup Golf Tournament

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1953 Pam is born in Welland,Ontario. Growing up, sheenjoys camping, biking, and as a young adult, her first set of wheels!

1970 Pam meets her future husband Joe at a penny sale held by her sorority while inGrade 12.

1974 Pam completes herBachelor of Applied Arts Degreein Secretarial Science fromRyerson, with thoughts of going into teaching. She acceptsa position at Gulf Canada.

1977Pam andJoe marry.

1978 Pam suffers a stroke. Her recovery begins.Working with a physiotherapist and occupational therapist Pam relearns tasks she used to do with two hands.

“In the hospital I learned the tools of my cooking – andtie my shoes – little things but – then I go to the subway– I remember well – I have to learn the elevator – or the escalator – and it was too fast – “I don’t want to(whining)!” but the OT and SLP shook me and I go.”

The speech-lan-guage pathologistwho works withPam tells herabout a place,then called

“The Speech and Stroke Centre” at Earl Bales ParkCommunity Centre.

Pam isn’t ready to take thatnext step. She worries abouta long commute from herhome in the west end andher young age. But after aboring year of wanderingthrough malls, she finallydecides to give it a try.Though nervous at the idea of meeting new people,Pam and Joe decide to investigate. She gets to knowPat and Oscar Arato as well as the other clients andvolunteers and soon feels very much a part of thissmall group.

In the early days, there are only two weekly conver-sation groups, a singing group and an exercise group.But with only a few volunteers, Pat Arato and herteam have their hands full.

“I remember Pat – Pat was a um – um – it was busy all the time – uh – and she was always running around –doing this, doing that – too much, especially in the morning.”

Pam also begins volunteering in thecommunity as a scout leader with her husband at about this time.

Living successfully with Aphasia: A long-timeclient shares her inspiring story

Dictated to Jill Petersen, University of BritishColumbia speech-language pathology student Spring, 2009

November 1978, 25-year-old Pam Phillips, marriedjust over a year is exercis-ing at Vic Tanny’s whenshe begins to experience a massive headache. She isrushed to Toronto WesternHospital where Pam learnsshe has had a stroke. Shethen spends the next fivemonths recovering atMount Sinai Hospital where she begins to rebuildher life. Pam has been on that journey ever since.

Pam is the longest standing client of the AphasiaInstitute. Most people can’t remember a time whenher infectious laughter didn’t permeate the centre.She has participated and assisted in many programsover the past three decades. No one client’s story so directly intersects with the evolving vision andmission of the Aphasia Institute. She inspires hopein clients, families, volunteers, staff and healthcareprofessionals to overcome the barriers that aphasiacreates and her story richly illustrates how success is not a destination but a journey.

“Through the sharing of each other’s stories, we can work together, learn together and heal together.Your voice is important! Little by little, I learned to speak and do many different things. The secretis not to give up.”

– Pam Phillips

Why we do what we do

1985 The agency relocates to EdithvaleCommunity Centrewhere Pam helps out.

“I like to be busy. Well, I like to teach the clients little by little and it’s very possible to do – in – it takes time –to –heal and grow.”

With more classroomspace at this new location, three speech-language pathologists -–Aura Kagan, RochelleCohen-Schneider andLorraine Podolsky – join the staff. New programs are offeredsuch as ceramics, swim-ming and oil painting.

Pam decides to give painting a try even though she has never done it before.

“My aunt used to paint and I was you know I’ll give it atry – I got one and I thought ‘oh this is good!’”

Eventually she opts to continue to develop her new talent at a class closer to home.

Pam participatesin severalfundraisers such as flea marketsand car washes.

1991 Fundraising becomes more sophisticated at thenewly named “The Aphasia Centre” after moving to itsnew location on 53 Links Road, with events like theFantasy Fair and 50/50 tickets.

The first ever aphasia-friendly ToastmastersInternational Gavel Club is launched as well as“Cooking with Pam”.

Pam is responsible for selecting recipes, set up, andteaching how to cook with modifications required forhemiplegic clients (paralysis of one side of the body.)

Several drama productions are created and performedabout this time as well as several evening social events.

1993 A federal election booth is set up at thecentre.

1997 Pam participates in the first agency walk-and-roll, part of the Toronto Challenge. This becomes anannual event.

1998 Pam’s drive to helpothers is commended bywhat was then the munici-pality of North York. Shereceives the North YorkVolunteer of the YearAward and the VolunteerCentre of MetropolitanToronto Volunteer Service Award.

2001 The centremoves to its currentlocation on ScarsdaleRd. Pam is able tocontinue to commutefrom Mississauga asshe successfullyrenewed her driver’slicense years before.

The Present Pam is leading a successful and productive life andhas made many long and lastingfriendships along the way. Sheremains in touch with Pat Arato,Linda Cream (former volunteercoordinator), Marlene (a formerstaff member and volunteer) andclients who have moved away. Inthe last few years, Pam has joinedthe Peer Leader program. Alongwith other peer leaders, she encourages and teachesclients new to the Institute, and co-presents to healthcare professionals during training sessions. Pam is always looking for new opportunities to shareher experiences of living successfully with aphasia.

While no one can predict the future, one thing is sure. Pam will always encourage others living withaphasia to never give up and be willing to try newthings... “Just a little bit at a time.”

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For the past thirty years, volunteers have played a pivotal role in breaking down language barriers andreawakening hope in the lives of those affected byaphasia. Trained and supported by speech-languagepathologists and other clinical staff, volunteers interact directly with clients and contribute signifi-cantly to the warm and supportive environment of the agency. And somewhere along the way, volunteers like veteran Anna Taylor, who has been a skilled and seasoned communication facilitator for close to two decades, or rookie Shai Rappaport, who leads an exciting new program for clients whoshare his deep love for music ... discover that they get back at least as much as they give.

Anna Taylor

While on her way to the supermarket one day, Annaspied a storefront sign that read “Aphasia Centre”.Never having heard the word ‘aphasia’ before, she wenthome and looked it up in the dictionary. Two dayslater, she came across a recruitment ad in the paper for new volunteers for the Aphasia Centre. She appliedand was accepted. Anna has been volunteering at thecentre for over 17 years.

“I am what is rather grandly called a commun-ication facilitator,” Anna explains. “I lead a group discussion of people who have difficulty expressingthemselves.” In fact, Anna works primarily with clientswho have very little verbal output. She describes thereaction she gets when people find out what she does,“They are always slightly amazed that I run a discus-sion group with people who can’t speak. But I assurethem that it can be done and we have many very interesting and far reaching conversations.”

People adjusting to life with aphasia often feel asense of loss for old friends, old communities and theloss of their self-confidence. When new clients join theCommunity Aphasia Program, Anna often sees thisbeing restored. “The most important thing we do hereis to assure them that we know that they know insidetheir heads. And my role is to reveal what we call this‘competence’ that has been masked by aphasia.”

Anna draws satisfaction from her part in enablingclients to have the kinds of conversations they have not been able to have since their aphasia. “I get enormous pleasure from the work I do. I think thereare very few things more rewarding than seeing somebody who really has not had what I call a properconversation.” The reality is that family members and loved ones, though devoted and supportive, oftendo not have the extra time it takes to have these kindsof in-depth conversations.

Anna works with new clients in the IntroductoryProgram. Many have had aphasia for less than a yearand arrive with fear and apprehension. They might be thinking, ‘Do they know I can’t speak?... Do theyunderstand how difficult this is for me?’ However, allof that changes after just a few weeks as confidencegrows and clients begin to open up and express theiropinions, share their joys and their sorrows in a newcommunity that offers hope for the future.

Shai Rappaport

Music has oftenbeen described as awindow to the soul.Although Shai hasbeen a volunteer forless than two years,he has already expe-rienced how musiccan transcend thespoken word toexpress what peoplecare and feel deeply about. Shai leads the new MusicAppreciation group, part of the Community AphasiaProgram, where he shares his deep passion for musicwith other like-minded clients. What does he get out of it? “I love it,” Shai replies with a warm smile.

He must because he spends up to five hours aweek researching and preparing for each session, a taskhe describes as, “a labour of love.” Shai was born inIsrael, his family moved to Kenya then returned toIsrael. In 1966, he moved to South Africa where hemet his future wife Illona who is a speech-languagepathologist; they came to Canada in 1973. It was Illona who suggested that he volunteer at the AphasiaInstitute.

Shai began as a communication facilitator and now leads the Music Appreciation Group, whichexplores a full gamut of musical genres, ranging fromMozart to Elvis. The session begins with “This Week in Music History.” Shai shares facts and informationwhile clients try to guess the year he is referring to. He might focus on an artist who passed away, or highlighta performer or musical event. Next, Shai chooses five to seven different arrangements of the same song. The group listens to the chosen arrangements and then discusses their impressions.

Our Volunteers

Every week, group members share music they love.Offerings often include music from all over the world.A group vote is taken about what will be listened toeach week. Shai encourages clients to vote for unfamil-iar genres, to broaden their knowledge about musicthey would not otherwise be exposed to.What Shaienjoys most is the participants themselves and theunique personalities they bring to the group. “Peoplewith many different levels of aphasia feel completelyrelaxed, interacting with each other. Everyone is allowed to participate.”

Shai’s warm, engaging personality contributes tothe evolving group dynamic. Shai reflects, “They allowme to be myself, to joke around. I feel like a goodfriend to them.” (He once surprised the group by spontaneously dancing to a song from Zorba the Greek. The group responded with rowdy cheers andgreat enthusiasm.)

Shai pays attention to clients’ individual needs, providing accommodation where necessary to ensurethat no one is left out. Not that he gives preferentialtreatment. “I treat them as I would treat anybody else... if they don’t earn it, they don’t get it!” he points out with a chuckle.

Like Anna and Shai, our volunteers have manyunique personalities and approach. Yet they share acommon dedication and commitment to the work of the agency and a sense that what they give is notnearly as much as what they get back.

Anna Taylor has witnessed a lot over the years and sums it up well: “People say there’s no such thing as miracles. But when I see the progress the people Iwork with have made... I know that miracles exist.”

Ontario Volunteer Service Awards

In June 2009, six of our volunteers were recognized with Ontario Volunteer Service Awards. The OntarioMinister of Citizenship and Immigration Michael Chan handed out the awards during a special ceremony held in downtown Toronto.

The Volunteer Service Award recognizes volunteers for their continuous years of commitment and service to an organization. The Aphasia Institute Award recipients are as follows:

• 10 years of continuous service: Mary Botterell, Jean Cameron, Jan Carlisle and Judy Moore

• 5 years of continuous service: Christina McSkimming and Norma McVicar

25 +YearsRona Armel

20 – 25 Years Murray HigginsBarbara LyonBobbie MissenJane Thorson

15 – 19 Years Veronica BraniganJohanna CookSylvia GoldmanBruce KingAnna Taylor

10 – 14 Years Mary BotterellMintrude BullenJean CameronBarbara KaneJudy Moore

Wilda Scott Myriam ShechterUrvashi Tanna

5 – 9 YearsJohn WardenGwen BrooksSteve GahbauerRuth GrantJane HughesDonna KerrAnita LovisekJudy McNeillyChristina McSkimmingNorma McVicarMary Deanne Shears Michael Wright

2 – 4 YearsMarilyn BergerGillian CockwellPaul Donnelly

Clementine Grant Erica HayashiSophia HibbelDana HudonSabrina ImamGeorge KopulosJustin LeungNoorin Mair Sybilla MannsfeldtDiane MulhollandKaren NecpalAnne Neidhardt Joyce OstlerGabriella Pataki Shai RappaportFeroz Sarkari Ken Seetaram Vessela Stamenova Catherine TaylorEric ThompsonJohn Tonus

Volunteer Years of Service

““People say there’s no such thing as miracles. But when I see the progress thepeople I work with have made… I knowthat miracles exist.”

– Anna Taylor

A N N U A L R E P O R T | 2 0 0 8 / 2 0 0 9

ASSETS

Current Assets

Cash 104,125 69,603

Accounts receivable 84,306 42,451

Prepaid expenses and sundry assets 17,285 26,317

205,716 138,371

Investments 254,093 280,276

Project in Progress - 24,277

254,093 304,553

Property and Equipment 44,060 50,012

503,869 492,936

LIABILITIES

Current Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 97,987 64,095

Deferred income 13,410 41,280

111,397 105,375

Non-Current Liabilities

Deferred capital contributions 23,246 23,252

NET ASSETS

Net Assets Invested in Capital Assets 20,814 26,760

Research Fund 170,000 170,000

Unrestricted 178,412 167,549

369,226 364,309

503,869 492,936

Approved on behalf of the Board

restated As at March 31 2009 2008

$ $

See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

APHASIA INSTITUTE – Financial Statements

Financial Statements

A word from our auditor

To the Directors of the Aphasia Institute:

The accompanying condensed statements of financialposition, revenues, expenditures, and net assets arederived from the complete financial statements of the Aphasia Institute as at March 31, 2009, and forthe year then ended on which I expressed an opinionwithout reservation in my Auditor’s Report datedMay 14, 2009.

The fair summarization of the complete financialstatements is the responsibility of the Institute. Myresponsibility, in accordance with the applicableAssurance Guideline of The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, is to report on the condensed financial statements.

In my opinion, the accompanying condensed financial statements fairly summarize, in all materialrespects, the related complete financial statements in accordance with the criteria described in theGuideline referred to above.

Since these are condensed financial statements, readers are cautioned that these statements may not be appropriate for their purposes. For more information on the Institute’s financial position,results of operations and cash flow, reference should be made to the related complete financialstatements.

Peter Tsui, CA

Copies of the complete audited financial statements are available upon request.

See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.

See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.

STATEMENT OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Institute prepares its financial statements in conformity with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.Unrestricted contributions are recognized as revenue when received or receivable if the amount to be received can be reasonably estimated and collection is reasonably assured. Restricted contributions are recognized as revenue in the year in which related expenses are incurred. Capital assets are recorded at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Funds received for the acquisition of capital assets are deferred and amortized on the same basis as the related capital assets.

The investments held by the Institute as of March 31, 2009 are classified as available-for-sale. They are carried at fairvalue on the statement of financial position, with changes in fair value recorded in unrestricted net assets.

Some amounts in these statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by the Institute. By their nature, such estimates are subject to measurement uncertainty, although all of them are believed to be reasonable.

PRIOR PERIOD ADJUSTMENT

A prior period adjustment has been made to account for overpayment in the amount of $32,620 for Ontario Employer Health Tax for the years 2004 to 2008. The Institute has received confirmation from the Ontario Ministry of Revenue that the overpayment will be refunded.

APHASIA INSTITUTE – Financial Statements

REVENUES

Government and other grants 1,069,786 905,090

Donations and fundraising 103,443 161,877

Client service fees 58,919 52,597

Resource material 58,385 37,539

Professional training and education 55,710 83,862

Investment income 19,195 16,937

Expense recoveries 11,709 -

Amortization of deferred capital contributions 7,979 12,204

1,385,126 1,270,106

EXPENDITURES

Salaries and employee benefits 784,436 748,983

Occupancy costs 212,035 238,420

Projects 163,451 144,364

Office expenses 136,736 159,137

Client services 31,139 18,657

Amortization of capital assets 14,830 26,872

Staff development and travel 11,623 10,761

Professional training and resource materials 7,795 9,981

Audit and legal fees 6,059 5,454

Fundraising 2,621 4,096

1,370,725 1,366,725

EXCESS (DEFICIENCY) OF REVENUES OVER EXPENDITURES 14,401 (96,619)

restatedFor the Year Ended March 31 2009 2008

$ $

Invested restatedFor the Year Ended March 31 in Capital Research Total Total

Assets Fund Unrestricted 2009 2008$ $ $ $ $

Balance, beginning of year, as previously stated 26,760 170,000 134,929 331,689 429,793

Prior period adjustment - - 32,620 32,620 24,772

Adjustment to bring the available-for-sale investments to fair value as of April 1, 2007 - - - - 3,821

Restated beginning balance 26,760 170,000 167,549 364,309 458,386

Excess of revenues over expenditures ( 6,851) - 21,252 14,401 (96,619)

Increase (decrease) in the fair value of available-for-sale investments during the year - - (9,484) (9,484) 2,542

Internally funded acquisitions 905 - (905) - -

Balance, end of year 20,814 170,000 178,412 369,226 364,309

A N N U A L R E P O R T | 2 0 0 8 / 2 0 0 9

Benefactor ($10,001>)

Erik Parnoja

Fellow $1,001 - $5,000)

Bank of Montreal

Dennis Brans

Forsythe Cup – Paul Bussiere

Sybil Geller

Harmonize for Speech Fund

Eva Hainey

Gary W. Ryan

TD Bank Financial Group

Eyre D. Welland

Partner ($501-$1,000)

Philip C. Brown

Bernie Dans

Mary Deanne Shears

Irene F. Hewitt

Beverly H. Hain

Carl Hibbeln

Dixie Jones

Aura & Mannie Kagan

Dan L. Hill

The William and Nona Healslip Foundation

Betty Wangenheim

Michael Wright

Companion ($251-$500)

Bell Canada – Employee Giving Program

Sheena Branigan

Veronica Branigan

Motorola Canada Limited

Donald Carlisle

Frank Ciccolini

Michelle Cohen

Rochelle Cohen-Schneider

Coty Prestige

Liane Daigle

The FSA Group

Douglas Gibson

Leslie H. Rose

John H. Baldwin

Patrick Hardy

IBM Employees’ Charitable Fund

Gregory Kuperstein

Barbara Marshall

Bobbie Missen

Gilles Ouellette

Parfums Christian DiorCanada

Margaret A. Pattison

Marquerite Redman

Adele Reid

Cecilia Ryan

Charline Sherman

Gregory Steele

Jerome Stephens

Phil Taylor

TELUS Corporation Community Engagement

Jane Thorson

Hanita Tiefenbach

Mary Warner

Frances Washer

Friends ($100-$250)

Avron Anstey

Pat Arato

Katie Archdekin

Beverley Aron

Particia Bailey

Thomas Baldwin

Barbara Meissner Fishbein

Suzanne Bassett

Babette Beard

Joyce Beaven

Marlene Behrmann Cohen

Carol Bell

Charles H. Berger

Nancy Bishop

Sandra Black

Hans Blom

Geoff Bobb

Mary R. Botterell

Dale Bradley

Jane Brenneman Gibson

Robert Brooks

Robert Brosius

David Brown

Nino Calafiore

Cameco

Gordon J. Chong

James H. Clarke

Ron Clavier

Dawn Clement

Conexsys Registration LTD

Shannon Costigan

Marion Crewe

John Cummings

Barbara Davy

Eckler Ltd

Eleanor L. Ellins

Daniel Epton

Anita Ferrari

Mark Fletcher

John Folliott

Raymond Gelgoot

Marianne Gocker

Eric Golden

Martha S. Graham

Ruth Grant

Guta Grushka

Ken Hagerman

Anne Haniford

Harmonie BrassShowband

Jonathan Hellmann

Phil Hibbeln

Shannon Hill

Katherine Hill

Margaret Hobbs

Steve Hobbs

Ina Iribarne

Julio Iribarne

Brad Johnston

Robert L. Jones

Nicole Kagan

Tom Kerr

Tili Kosziwka

Henry Kosziwka

Andrea Krywonis

Dana Lampe

William Landy

Robert Langille

Edda Laxer

George Leon

Karen Levine

Sandra Levine

Jean Loch

Adam Lowy

Jean Macdonell

Tanis MacLaren

Kimberly Marshall

Emerson Mascoll

Joseph Maxwell

Gerard McDonald

Marianne McQuilkin

Christina McSkimming

Antony H. Melcher

Brooke Miller

Margaret Miller

Susan Muise

Brahm Nathans

Richard Nathans

Karen Necpal

Jonathan Nikkel

Andrew Obee

Kathleen O'Neil

Susan Payne

Maximus Perera

Rosemary Phillips

Mark Pritzker

Jullie Quiring

Paul Resnick

Lois Richards

Ken Richards

Barbara Rueckel

Julia Sax

Brian Schnurr

Wilda Scott

Patrick Scotto di Luzio

Tessa Shaban

Patricia J. Shield

Elyse Shumway

Staples Business Depot

Gertraude Stubbs

Catherine K. Takaoka

David Tal

Anna Taylor

Allison & John Tedesco

Anna Tersigni

Teresa Tersigni

Gordon W. Thoburn

Becky Thorson

Topflight Venture Inc.

Santa Vatri

Harold W. Ward

Cynthia Webb

Joyce Webb

Robin Weir

Judith Wiesenfeld

Gayle Wilmot

Dianne Woods

Our Donors

Although the Aphasia Institute receives funding from the Central Local Integrated Health Network, City of Toronto and HumanResources and Social Development Canada, those funds don’t cover all of our expenses, which is why we need your help, too.

Below are listed four different ways you can help the AphasiaInstitute awaken hope and inspiration in individuals and families affected by aphasia. Best of all, many of these ways stretch the impact of your donation, which means you are able to help us, now more than ever, ensure that we are always able to provide our programs and services to everyone who needs them.

Monthly Donations – Easy for you, financial certainty for us

By setting up a monthly donation schedule with us, gifts can beautomatically paid by your credit card or post-dated cheque. Thismakes donating easy for you, and you only have to deal with one tax receipt issued at the end of the year. For the Institute, monthlydonations provide reliable income, and this kind of financial certainty makes planning for the future much easier.

Corporate Gift Matching Plans – Doubling the power of your donation

Many companies have a Corporate Gift Matching Plan, which means they will match their employees’ charitable donations, dollar for dollar. This kind of support immediately doubles your donation. It also introduces your company to the Aphasia Institute and the hundreds of people we help every year.

CanadaHelps Online – Open 24/7 to serve you

The Aphasia Institute is a member of the CanadaHelps online giving community, which means all you need to make a donation is your credit card number and access to the internet. Online donations can begiven through our website, www.aphasia.ca, or at www.canadahelps.org.

Honorarium Donations – For the person who has everything

At your next special occasion, birthday or anniversary, consider askingyour friends and family to make a donation in your honour in lieu of gifts.

The Aphasia Institute is a non-profit, provincially incorporated charitable organization registered under Charitable Registration No. 13306 5227 RR0001

How you can help

FounderPatricia Arato

PatronThe Hon. R. Roy McMurtry

Past Patrons- Ian Scott, former

Attorney General ofOntario (1985-90) b.1934, d. 2006

- Dr. Roberta Bondar, physician, scientist, astronaut

- The Hon. Stanley HowardKnowles b.1908, d.1997

Board of Directors

Board Chair:- Jane Brenneman Gibson

Director, KnowledgeTransfer & ExchangeInstitute for Work & Health

Volunteer BoardRepresentative:- Mary Deanne Shears

Retired newspaper editor

Vice-Chair/Secretary:- Marta Krywonis

Director of Quality andOrganizationalDevelopment/Initiativesand HousingSt. Demetrius Residence

Treasurer:Denham PattersonCharter Account, Private Practice

Client Representative:Patrick McCarthyFreelance – PublicRelations, Marketing and Special Events

Directors:– Dan Hill

Chief Financial Officer,Women’s College Hospital

– Trish KrausePrincipal, Oxygen Consulting

– Hugh PattisonLawyer, Fyshe McMahon LLP

– Gary RyanVice President, Southlake RegionalHealth Care CentrePresident & CEO,Stevenson MemorialHospital

– Cynthia WebbPresident (Interim),Bridgepoint HealthFoundation

Advisory, Research andEthics Committee:– Sandra E. Black, MD,

FRCP(C)

– Maria Huijbregts, Chair

– Jan Carlisle

– Kathi Colwell

– Ruth Grant, volunteer representative

– Dixie Jones, family member representative

– Aura Kagan, ex-officiomember

– Bill Pacey, client representative

– Elyse Shumway

Administration Support:– Michelle L. Christian

– Ada Mok

Fundraising Committee:– Jeff Beach

– Michelle L. Christian

– Peter Jones

– Aura Kagan

– Trish Krause

– Patrick McCarthy

– Cynthia Webb, Chair

– Mary Deanne Shears

Governance and Advisory – September 2008 to August 2009

Our Funders• Central Local Health Integration Network

• City of Toronto

• Human Resources and Social Development Canada

• Fees, Donations and Bequests

Our Research Program is funded through research grants from:

• Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

• Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario – Ontario Stroke Network

The Community of Practice entitled, “Communicative Access and Aphasia” is funded by the Seniors Health Research TransferNetwork (SHRTN)

Contact UsTo discuss our fundraising programs and business opportunitiesGordon Goldschleger, Director of Finance and OperationsT: 416.226.3636 ext 11E: ggoldschleger@aphasia.ca

For media inquires, information about our community engagement activities, or to reach our Executive DirectorMichelle L. Christian, Executive Assistant to Dr. Aura KaganManager of Community EngagementT: 416.226.3636 Ext. 20E: mchristian@aphasia.ca

To inquire about our professional training opportunities and aphasia-friendly resourcesMarisca Baldwin, Education and Learning CoordinatorT: 416.226.3636 Ext. 23E: mbaldwin@aphasia.ca

To learn more about our research programAda Mok, Research AssistantT: 416.226.3636 Ext. 33E: amok@aphasia.ca

Aphasia Institute | 73 Scarsdale Road, Toronto, ON M3B 2R2 | T: 416.226.3636 | F: 416.226.3706 | www.aphasia.ca

About the Cover “30 years of touching lives and rebuilding conversations”

1. 1995 – Dr. Roberta Bondar2. 1979 – Oscar Arato3. 1992 – Hon. Stanley Knowles, Patron ribbon cutting at,

Aphasia Centre – North York4. 1989 – Pat Arato, 10th Anniversary5. 1988 – Drama presentation6. 2007 – Professional Training7. 2008 – Hon. George Smitherman, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care8. 1991 – Aphasia Centre, North York, third location9. 1992 – Community Aphasia Program

10. 1997 – Mel Lastman (former Mayor) at Pat Arato’s retirement11. 1997 – First Walk, Talk ‘n Roll12. 2007 – Think Tank and Conference13. 1987 – First cheque from Ministry of Health14. 2004 – Mt. Everest15. 2008 – Aphasia Camp16. 1985 – Edithvale Community Centre – second location17. 2000 – First Fundraising Golf Tournament18. 1989 – 10th Anniversary – Hon. Elinor Caplan19. 1992 – Gerry (featured in SCA™ training video)20. 2008 – Dr. Aura Kagan teaches in Sweden21. 1994 – Federal Election booth at 53 Links Road

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