talkback newsletter june 2018 aphasia€¦ · we hope you find the information in this newsletter...
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TALKBACK Newsletter www.aphasia.asn.au June 2018
APHASIA
Autumn in the Port
Talkback Association 302 South Road, Hilton SA 5033
for Aphasia Inc Ph: 08 8443 5555
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CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
Welcome to Winter!
Committee has been busy over the past two months, and we
have lots to share.
We are very excited that our website is coming soon. One
thing that we are missing is stories about YOU. You will see
an advert in this newsletter asking for people to contribute to
the website. Your story can be anonymous. We will help you
to write your story if you need assistance. Our website might
be seen by someone who has aphasia, and they might feel
more hopeful and less alone after reading about your
experience living successfully with aphasia.
We had a wonderful Dolphin Cruise as our last social event,
and it was enjoyed by everyone. The weather was beautiful,
and we had 45 people attend! Our next social event is being planned, and we will give you
the details in the next newsletter.
Talkback has been contacted by the Disability Engagement Group from Disability SA. This
group wants input and feedback from people with a lived experience of disability. People
with aphasia are encouraged to become members of this group and information has been
provided to all our Talkback groups. The Disability Engagement Group wants to know how
they can best communicate with people with complex communication needs. Please ask
your speech pathologist for more information or call the Talkback office and leave us a
message.
Talkback has been taking part in conversations with other state aphasia support groups
around Australia – WA, NSW, QLD and VIC. We are making stronger connections with
other states and look forward to meeting people from other aphasia support groups at the
AAA conference in November.
We hope you find the information in this newsletter interesting and useful. Stay warm!
Sarah Clifton
Chair
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COMMITTEE
Talkback Associtation for Aphasia Management Committee 2018
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TALKBACK NEWS
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TALKBACK NEWS
NEW GROUP:
Whyalla Talkback Group
When: Monday Morning (during school terms),
10am-11.30am
Where: Whyalla Hospital, Main Entrance
Rehabilitation Kitchen, Ground level
Who: Anyone with Aphasia
How: Contact the Speech Pathologist on
(08) 8648 8327 for details or fax (08) 8648 8306
Kess
Marquessa Bollen | Speech Pathologist
Restorative care
Country Health SA Local Health Network
Flinders and Upper North Region Whyalla Hospital & Health Services PO Box 267 Whyalla SA 5600 [email protected]
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TALKBACK NEWS
Talkback Association for Aphasia has some exciting radio interviews planned this year. Our
aim is to spread awareness of aphasia and to connect people to the Talkback Association
for Aphasia.
We will be talking on 101.5FM Radio Adelaide on Thursday 14th June at 2pm. and
Thursday 13th September at 2pm. We would love you to tune in!
We welcome ideas for topics to discuss during our interviews and we welcome Talkback
members to participate.
Please forward any ideas or interest to Elle on 0417 016 967 or [email protected]
2018 Talkback Social Event Planning
The Talkback committee have been busy planning social events for the year. We are planning
on holding 2-3 events in 2018 and would love to hear of any ideas from our Talkback members.
Please forward any social event ideas to Elle on 0417 016 967 or [email protected]
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TALKBACK NEWS
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TALKBACK NEWS
Dolphin Cruise
On the 7th of April, Talkback members, family and friends all
came together to share a day together aboard the Port River
Dolphin Cruise. Whilst guests waited in anticipation to sight
the infamous dolphins, many enjoyed a laugh, chat and photo
with new and old friends. Luckily dolphins were out and
about bathing in the rare hot Autumn sun.
Festivities continued as guests indulged in something sweet
for lunch at the Pancake Kitchen. Meals arrived in all shapes
and colours keeping the kids amused. A fundraiser raffle was
drawn during lunch. Our first prize winner Chris
Mason-Fyfe was lucky to win himself two tickets
to see Sense and Sensibility at The Playhouse
Theatre. We are very grateful to committee
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TALKBACK NEWS
member Bev Dodd for donating theatre passes for both first
and second prize. A great time was enjoyed by all. Please stay
tuned for our next social event.
People boarding the Dolphin Cruise Boat for an
afternoon of fun in the sun – and hopefully spot a
dolphin or two in the Port River.
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TALKBACK NEWS
ON THE BOAT – SOME PEOPLE ENJOYING THE SUNSHINE AND HOPING TO SEE
A DOLPHIN OR TWO…
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TALKBACK NEWS
AND NOW EVERYONE ENJOYING LUCH AT “PANCAKES AT THE PORT”
AFTER THE BOAT CRUISE
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TALKBACK NEWS
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TALKBACK NEWS
TALKBACK RETUNE CHOIR…
Retune is the first choir in South Australia for people with aphasia and their carers.
The choir started in May 2011 and is still going strong! Its first rehearsal for 2018
started with a great turn out and some new choir members. The choir welcomes
back its fabulous accompanist Lydia Dobbin for another year as well as its
conductor Rowan Harding. Rowan is a registered music therapist with the
Australian Music Therapy Association and a nationally touring performer at
events such as WOMADelaide, Woodford Folk Festival and the National Folk
Festival.
Singing and music therapy help retune the connections of the brain by developing
familiar sounds and words to encourage the rediscovery of speech.
Choirs have been found to improve the lives of people living with aphasia through
exercising the speech and linguistic centres of the brain.
The choir has been choosing some new and more challenging pieces while
continuing to improve their singing ability. They have been choosing to sing well
known classics from artists such as The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Queen and The
Seekers to Adele and Otis Redding. It doesn’t matter whether you are a confident
singer or not, the main aim of the choir is for people with aphasia to get out there
and make some new friends while singing some great music! At the end of each
term the choir holds a small performance in which all friends, family and
community are welcome to come and join in with the choir and hear the wonderful
sounds they have been creating.
The choir runs in four nine week blocks per year, to coincide with school terms.
We have a performance and afternoon tea at the end of each term. The rehearsals
and concerts are held in The Sanctuary, Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre 207-
235 Hampstead Road Northfield, South Australia. Our next concert will be held
on 4th April at 2:00 pm at The Sanctuary, Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre. All
are welcome to come along. If you would like to join the choir, please call the
Talkback Office on 8443 5555.
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TALKBACK NEWS
Onward & Upward
Maroochy RSL
26–27 November 2018
The Australian Aphasia Association committee are excited to announce that the
2018 conference will be held on the beautiful Sunshine Coast (QLD) from the
26–27 of November.
The theme of this conference is Onward & Upward. To explore this, a number of
inspirational individuals will be sharing their personal stories of life with Aphasia.
Details regarding registration, venue and program will be released in 2018.
The committee is very excited about this conference and many of us are
planning to attend. It will be fantastic to have a strong Talkback presence at this
conference!
Please contact us at the Talkback office on 08 8443 5555 or
if you are interested in presenting or attending.
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SOCIAL NEWS
Remember Elle & Stuart's surprise engagement last year? Well, now they are married.
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CHIT CHAT
Well, here we are again – Newsletter time! It’s nearly June already and autumn, here it is.
It’s my favourite season. Sit on the bench, just a little bit cool but feel the sun on your back,
have a cup of tea and just look around as the trees are starting to shed their beautiful different
coloured leaves. It’s sooooo pretty.
On the 3rd June 2012 – shock, horror – I had a stroke – and now I’ve lived with Aphasia for 6
years.
I don’t like it!
I really don’t like it!!!
When every morning I open my eyes and look around I hope that my life will be as it used to
be 6 years ago. But, oh no, it’s the same as it was yesterday. I’ve still got Aphasia!
There are lots of positives for me though – my first cup of tea in the morning, then my
breakfast (or pancakes at the Port if I’m lucky), lunch at the pub, perhaps a movie – I can go
on and on – so, it’s not all bad!!!
Actually, life is pretty good.
Every Friday morning is Talkback at Acacia Court with my Aphasia friends. Carole and
Cheryl (“them’s the breaks” she says) make me laugh and everyone has a nice morning.
Simple pleasures!
I used to be very frustrated, but now I don’t get cross any more (well, from time to time!).
This is my life now. Each day I do what I can to read, control my speech and understanding.
My poor old brain, it does the best it can (with the help of a Moscato or two!)
I used to say these words when I first had my stoke and I still say these words today –
“Words are hard – don’t give up. If you believe, then it will be. I can change my life – I
can achieve. Be positive – don’t give up – ever.”
So now that’s all from me, I’m off to keep busy with the rest of my day – stroke, what stroke?
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CHIT CHAT
I think this is a great way to look at life......
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chit Chat – I really enjoy the stories in Chit Chat, from members and others. When I read
these stories, I read them again and again. Sometimes they make me smile. I really like to
re-read them.
It brightens my day, and it might also brighten your day and other Newsletter readers too.
So, send a story that we can all enjoy.
Coralie Pearce
Talkback Member, Hendon
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CHIT CHAT
Talkback Members at Hendon make their own recipe for Friday morning tea.
So far we have had 3 recipes and you bet… we have eaten them all!!!!
Below is Rose McCarthy’s recipe.
Talkback Member, Hendon
Oops we have already eaten half of the cake.
I can assure you it didn’t take us long.
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CHIT CHAT
JOHNSON’S JOVIAL JOKES
~JJJ~
THE TWO IRISHMEN AND THE BULL
Two Irish – Australians farm labourers, after a weekend in the City, were taking a short cut
back to the farm across a wide paddock, when they heard the thunder of hoofs behind them.
They looked around in sudden terror to see a huge Hereford bull bearing down upon them.
There was only one slender tree in the paddock. It was little more than a sapling, but both men
managed to scramble up it, just out of reach of the bellowing bull.
The maddened animal threw its great bulk against the tree, which began to quiver and sag and
the branch on which the men were sitting leaned ominously downward. “Are you a praying
man Mike?” asked his companion.
“I don’t know any prayers Paddy, if that’s what you mean, but I can say grace. Well, you’d
better say it. “Lord, make us truly thankful for what we are about to receive” cried Mike,
plaintively.
Then that branch broke.
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THE PAINTER AND THE LADY
A famous Australian painter of an earlier time was standing near one of his pictures at an
exhibition in Melbourne, when a fashionable lady who knew him slightly said in a loud and
dowager voice “Tell me, Sir, why are there no wallabies, kangaroos or aborigines in your
landscapes?”
“They are there, Madam” said the artist, “Only they are hidden by the scrub”.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MEAN MEN
There was once a chap who had the reputation of being the meanest man on the Murray. He
gave away only three things in his life – a boomerang, a homing pigeon and the sleeves of his
waistcoat.
“Mean! That bloke was too mean to hang himself”.
Overheard in a bush pub “He’s that mean that when a fly lands in his sugar he shakes it’s feet
before he kills it”.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Paul Johnson
Talkback Member, Hendon
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CHIT CHAT
Ruth Simmons saw this and made us all laugh at Talkback…
Dear Algebra,
Please stop asking us to find your X
She’s never coming back and don’t ask Y.
Ruth Simmons
Talkback Member, Hendon
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A TRIBUTE TO SCARS We all bear scars, which tell tales of our lives.
Sketched on our skin; pale messages to read.
Records of recklessness, of surgeons’ knives
Of accident, infection, careless deed. Scars leave behind, like carvings on a tree, etchings of a healing history.
A pinned wrist - a fractured arm- a broken knee! – Hurts healed and sealed by nature’s mystery.
This navel scar once linked me to the womb.
There the appendix, taken when a teen.
Below? Cancer removed; delaying doom.
Scores more trace place of traumas in between. Some, such as brain-scars, are seldom seen From Strokes or other 'acquired brain disease’ Imaged from scans, on silver-printed screen. What a TV show called, "Hidden Injuries" It’s 'Show and Tell time!’ Join the guided tours! - I’ll show you mine - if you will show me yours!
Written by Terry Hadert
Talkback Member
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CHIT CHAT A little something from Albie Carter…
Albie Carter
Talkback Member
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And remember - always be positive, don’t give up – ever!
IF you have a Chit Chat story you can email it to – [email protected]
OR post it to –
Talkback Association for Aphasia Inc 302 South Road, Hilton SA 5033
We would love to read your short stories in the Chit Chat Newsletter
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO “CHIT CHAT” ABOUT
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TALKBACK GROUPS
HENDON TALKBACK GROUP
Acacia Court Talkback Group 81 Tapleys Hill Road Hendon We meet Fridays 9.30 am - 11.30 am Contact Jenny on 82431844
The Talkback Group at Acacia Court is for
people with aphasia as a result of stroke or
brain injury. Members get together on a
weekly basis to socialise and practice their communication in a supportive environment. This
can be an important step in gaining confidence to communicate in other situations. The photo
shows some of our members having a good time together.
We have 10 members of varying ages and with varying levels of aphasia, but we all enjoy the
group. At a recent session, members were asked what they would like others to know about
the group. The overwhelming theme was that the group was very close and supportive.
Everyone is very helpful and patient
Just like one big family
We don’t know other groups, but we are close and support each other
It’s good. All very open about talking about our personal matters
If you have aphasia, think about whether a group might be helpful for you. You can get
information about current groups from the office and this will soon be updated on the
website.
ECH North East Wellness TALKBACK GROUP
The group meets on Thursdays 2:15- 3:30pm at North East Wellness, Greenacres, 21/19 Fosters Rd, Greenacres.
Members will have the opportunity to practice conversational speech as we talk about what we have been doing during the week as well as other interesting themes or topics.
If anyone is interested in joining this group please contact ECH on 1300 275 324 or contact
Ester Harding at [email protected]
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TALKBACK GROUPS
HOVE TALKBACK GROUP Tuesday 10.00 am to 11.30 am
At Alwyndor, 52 Dunrobin Road, Hove
Conversation practice around current affairs, personal stories
and a selected ‘topic of the day’.
All people with Aphasia are very welcome. Conversation is
structured so that all can participate – those with occasional
word finding difficulties and those who have a lot of trouble in
finding words and getting their message across – all are
included and can take a turn.
If you are interested in joining the group please contact ECH on 1300 275 324 and ask for Coralie
Hayley, Speech Pathologist.
MORPHETT VALE TALKBACK GROUP Thursday 9.45 am – 11.00 am
ECH Southern Wellness
126 Pimpala Road, Morphett Vale
Conversation practice around current affairs, personal
stories and a selected ‘topic of the day’.
All people with Aphasia are very welcome. Conversation
is structured so that all can participate – those with
occasional word finding difficulties and those who have a
lot of trouble in finding words and getting their message
across – all are included and can take a turn.
If you are interested in joining the group please contact
ECH on 1300 275 324 and ask for Coralie Hayley, Speech Pathologist.
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TALKBACK GROUPS
FMC TALKBACK GROUP
‘The FMC Talkback Group is run by speech
pathologist Megan Hide and also our
volunteer John. The group provides a
supported environment to practice
communication strategies, generalise skills
and work towards both personal and group
goals. Members are encouraged to bring
along personal items or news articles to
facilitate group discussion, and also have the
opportunity to use verbal/written language
or AAC to recount particular events they have been involved in recently.
For those interested in attending, please contact Megan Hide, Speech Pathologist, on (08)
8404 2642 and ask for pager number 55924 or Email [email protected]
The group runs on Level 3 of the Rehabilitation & Palliative Care Building every
Tuesday from 10:00 am - 11:15 am and involves tea and coffee during each session. See
map below
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TALKBACK GROUPS
ACT Talkback Group (Canberra)
The ACT Talkback group has been operating for several years, and meets 10.00am-
11.30am Monday mornings. The group is currently run by Jenni Blumenthal
(Volunteer Coordinator) under the direction of Shareen Underwood (Speech
Pathologist).
The ACT Talkback Group has had a great start to the year with a strong weekly
attendance. Members have also enjoyed two excursions, one to Old Parliament
House, the other to The Royal Australian Mint. On both excursions the Educators
had done their homework on living with aphasia and were especially attentive and
responsive to the specific needs of the group members.
The group has recently concluded Program One of their first ten week program for
2018. Two further programs are planned for this year, with the next one starting
early June.
There has been positive collaboration with the Speech Pathology Course at the
University of Canberra, with 2-3 masters students joining the group for each ten
week program.
ACT Talkback Group, including wonderful volunteers and
Speech Pathology students from University of Canberra
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TALKBACK GROUPS
MT BARKER TALKBACK GROUP
There is no current Mt Barker group running at present. Anna Cameron, Speech Pathologist is still the
contact for this group, phone 8393 1833, or email to [email protected].
Any further news will be published in future Newsletters.
MURRAY MALLEE TALKBACK GROUP
Unfortunately this group is no longer running. The contact number remains as 8535 6800. Any further news will be published in future Newsletters.
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SPECIAL GROUPS
COMPUTER CLUB
The computer club meets every Monday at
1:30pm at the Burnside Library. Coffee and
chat follows after each session. The computer
club will continue to be largely run by student
volunteers.
If anyone is interested on joining the group,
please ring me on 8222 1463
(work).
MARDEN COFFEE CLUB
Marden Shopping Centre If you are in the area, call in and have a decent cup of coffee.
We meet every Tuesday from 11:00 am – 12 noon.
Contact Albie Carter 8332 1248
From left to right we have Greg, Roy, Albie and Vic
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SPECIAL GROUPS HENDON GROUP COFFEE CLUB
The Hendon Group Coffee Club meets
every Thursday morning at 1O.OOam for
approximately one hour at Cafe Cino, West Lakes.
Anybody wanting more information or to go
along and have a chat, please ring Bill
Palmer on 0438 118 798.
COMMUNICATION GROUP
The group meets at Paradise & Eastern Community Services,
61 Silkes Road, Paradise South Australia 5075.
The group meets Wednesdays 1.30 pm - 3.00 pm
Contact Paula Green or Dawn Levett on
8337 4371 for more information and sessions
times
The next Talkback Newsletter will be published in September 2018
This is YOUR newsletter and we want to hear from You!!
Please send articles to us by 14th August 2018 (at the very latest)
Opinions contained in this newsletter are those of the individual writers, and are
not sanctioned by the Talkback Association. Please consult your medical
practitioner for any health advice required.