Training First Responders to Communicate With Persons Who Have Aphasia

CINCINNATI, OH - Life changed in an instant in August 2006 for Johan deRoos when he suffered a stroke that resulted in paralysis on his right side and aphasia, a condition that impairs the ability to speak. Since the stroke, his wife, Susan, has been his coach and advocate through every aspect of his recovery including the time she hit a deer while driving them home. "When the police arrived, they immediately assumed Johan was the driver," she says, "and when he began to speak, they questioned whether he had been drinking." This is just one of the many challenges aphasic persons face on a daily basis in an effort to communicate effectively.

Using an exciting new awareness training program from the National Aphasia Association, Drake Center is offering a free train-the-trainer opportunity for first responders on June 28 from 1-3 p.m. at Drake. Presenters are Susan deRoos and Tom Frazee, whose wife, Jackie, also suffers from aphasia due to stroke. The program is designed to teach first responders to be able to communicate with persons who have aphasia in emergency situations. Each year, more than 2,000 people in Greater Cincinnati experience an ischemic stroke.

Local departments are invited to send one or more representatives. All participants will be provided with an electronic copy of the presentation to use at their own department training. Pre-registration is required by calling 513-418-2575 or emailing amy.merritt@healthall.com.

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Please meet in the Drake Center West Pavilion lobby at 1:45 p.m. for the Group Activity portion of the training where first responders will have the challenge of getting information from an aphasic person.

Drake Center is the leading provider of specialized medical and rehabilitative care in the region, offering a complete range of inpatient and outpatient care. Services include long-term acute care (medically complex care and rehabilitation), skilled nursing, assisted living and various outpatient and wellness services. For more information, visit www.DrakeCenter.com or call 513-418-2500.