Speech therapy helps stroke victim

BY TINA MCGRADY | Posted Mar 25, 2009

Math and spelling were never a challenge for Tom Bott until now.
The 74-year-old Danville man is a retired engineer and a successful
businessman. He is also an active volunteer in many civic and
church groups.

However, his life drastically changed the day after Christmas 2008
when he suffered a stroke.
A stroke is when a clogged or burst artery interrupts blood flow to
the brain. This stops the brain getting oxygen and causes the
affected brain cells to die.

Toms stroke was on the left side of the brain - the right side of his
body was affected. The left side of the brain also is where language
and memory abilities are located.
Tom spent 10 days in the hospital at Champaign. There he began
intense physical and speech therapy. Once home, he has continued
to recover his lost math and language skills at the Provena United
Samaritans Medical Center.
With the help of speech therapists, Tom is well on his way to taking
back his life.
Since he started therapy here in January, hes improved by leaps
and bounds, said Laura Girouard, a speech therapist in the
Rehabilitation Services Department.
Girouard explained that Tom has aphasia - this is a disorder that
impairs a persons ability to process language. It does not affect
intelligence. Aphasia affects the ability to speak and understand
others - most people with aphasia also have difficulty reading and
writing.
The most common cause of aphasia is stroke - about 25-40 percent
of stroke survivors have aphasia. It can also result from head injury,
brain tumour or other neurological causes.
Its like the word is on the tip of the tongue, but you cant find it,
she said.

For Tom, the struggle is real, and at times leaves him frustrated. I
knew what the words were, but couldnt say it, he said. I couldnt
do simple maths.
Girouard works with Tom at the hospital three times a week for 45
minutes. However, the work to recover does not end there.
Tom takes home several worksheets. Then he can continue his
therapy with the help of Cathy, his wife of 52 years. They also play
word games, like Scattegories, to build his skills.
Hes a great example of how hard work and motivation can pay
off, Girouard said. Hes really on his way to being back to his
former self.
Tom has progressed from flashcards to reading long sentences aloud
but he has not been alone. He has a tremendous family support
network, Girouard said. Thats key to recovery.
His wife has been an advocate for his needs - also all six of the
couples adult children Tim, Jeff, Chris, Cathie, Jackie and Peggie
have been by his side. The children live in different place but
each one has found time to care for their parents.
We thank God that we had the services here, Cathy said. I dont
think he would be as far along as he is now, if wed had to travel
very far.
Toms general outlook is good, and he continues to make progress.
He hopes to complete his speech therapy at the hospital by the end
of the month. He will continue to work on his skills at home.

She (Laura) taught me what to do and how to do it, Tom said. It

may take me another year or so to get it all back, he said. But I
want to talk normally again.
Tom still struggles to say his ps and ws and spelling remains a
challenge. However, he is determined.
Tom, a keen walker, is back to strolling two miles a day. He has
returned to Rotary Club. He also visits patients at the hospital
weekly as part of a mission group. He even did his own taxes this
year.
Hes always done everything, Cathy said. He doesnt know his
limitations.
Two of his twenty (20) grandchildren plan to wed this summer Toms goal is to be back to normal by then.
Tom had open heart surgery to clear a blockage and replace a valve
in September 2008. His doctors say the surgery and stroke are not
related.
Before the stroke, Tom was healthy. He did not have a medical
condition or history that would have placed him at a higher risk.
Just before the stroke, he had been dropping packages and seemed
confused at times. It was Christmas and there was a lot going on,
his wife said.
The next morning he was more confused and his speech began to
slur then they knew Tom was having a stroke. It was a very
scary time for us, his wife said.

Girouard, his speech therapist, said people need to be aware of the

services that are offered. Everyone needs to know theres hope
that life can be better, she said.