A bright, bubbly young lawyer in her 30's, Crystal Frank is probably the last person you would envision having a stroke. She experienced two back-to-back strokes following an intense migraine, which caused her to fall into a coma and lose function of the right side of her body. Frank also lost the ability to speak.
Fast-forward seven years, and it is obvious that Frank has come a long way; thanks in part to the Corbett Clinic's intensive aphasia and dysarthria adult treatment program at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine.
"Aphasia's where-where… know something… just trouble… get it out," explains Frank who also uses gestures to help her communicate. The Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologists describes aphasia as being a communication disorder caused by damage to the brain, which can affect a person's ability to speak, understand, read, and write. It has no effect on intelligence though.
Randa Tomczak, clinical assistant professor, Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology and clinical educator at the clinic, explains: "The definition of aphasia is not related to cognition at all; there's no memory loss. It's important to recognize that people with aphasia are smart - no different from you or I - it just can be harder from them to express themselves and/or understand language."
After undergoing a variety of language treatments, Frank heard about Corbett Clinic from a contact at the Misericordia Community Hospital.
"This program… a lot different than treatment before," she explains. "Other programs… for only few hours a week, once or twice a week. This one…four days a week - all day."
For eight weeks, Frank worked on improving her language alongside a handful of other clients, and a dedicated clinical team. This team included two clinical educators, four MSc Speech-Language Pathology student clinicians, and two volunteers who have overcome their own communication impairments. These volunteers were also incorporated into the program for the first time in its three-year history.
One of the volunteers, Janelle Renaud, understands first-hand the struggles that Frank and the other clients face. She too had a stroke and has a mild form of aphasia.
"I think that I can connect with the clients on a different level compared to the average volunteer, and vice versa. I think they may have an easier time relating to me," says Renaud.
Volunteering is an integral part of her life. After having her stroke, Renaud has not received clearance from physicians to return to work, so volunteering at the clinic brings not only a sense of contribution, but also an opportunity for her to practice her speech.
The intensive program offers one-on-one sessions with the student clinicians as well as group sessions where the clients can interact with one another.
"Though I liked having… opportunity to chat with… other clients, the one-on-one sessions were most beneficial," says Frank. "In a sense… clinicians and I made a pact: 'you work hard, I work hard… together we see results'. As a lawyer, this level of work ethic really appeals to me."
Today, Frank is back at work, though her job description has changed slightly. Rather than being in the courtroom around the clock, she finds herself playing a more supportive role. "I review cases and other documents…highlight important points I come across. Not as exciting as what I did before, but work…important for me… I know I have something to contribute and this brings me fulfillment," says Frank.
Tomczak and the other clinicians are proud of how far Frank and the others have come as a result of the intensive program. "The results have been amazing," she says, "more dramatic than we've ever seen."
For the summer, both Frank and Renaud plan to take a break from the clinic to spend time with their families and to indulge in their favourite form of therapy: shopping! Though they find it 'therapeutic' for the same reasons most women do, for them it is also an opportunity to walk around and practice speaking with others.
"Just please don't speak to us in an exaggerated way like 'HOW AAARE YOUUUU'," Frank chuckles. "Seriously, we understand. Just be patient… we're getting back to you."