Aphasia – Our Volunteers Share Their Personal Stories

Ronnie Branigan
Volunteer, Introductory Program

When Ronnie Branigan retired in 1993, she knew immediately that she wanted to become a part of the Aphasia Institute. “I wanted to give my time to something meaningful and I knew that I could make a difference at the Aphasia Institute.”

Ronnie’s certainty came from her brief interaction with the Aphasia Institute more than 30 years ago when her husband had a stroke in his 40’s. It was then that Ronnie first learned about the Aphasia Institute.

Today, Ronnie is one of the longest-serving members of the volunteer team. She volunteers two days every week, working with the Introductory Program and in our Conversation Program. She says her greatest joy is being able to witness the change that happens through the Introductory Program. “At first, people are shy and withdrawn but by the third or fourth week, you see the group coming together to support each other, and you see confidence building in each member as they learn new skills.”

Providing support to spouses is particularly fulfilling for her. “Often this is the first time that they have the opportunity to meet others in the same situation. They can say whatever they want without fear of judgment and they can hear from others who have had similar experiences. Having lived it first-hand, I can appreciate what they go through.”

Anna Taylor
Volunteer, Introductory Program and Community Aphasia Program

Anna Taylor saw a sign that caught her eye at the grocery store one day: Aphasia Centre. When she got home, she looked up the word “aphasia” in the dictionary never having heard of it before. Two days later, the universe seemed to speak to her again when she came across a recruitment ad in the paper for volunteers at the Aphasia Centre. That was 17 years ago, and Anna is one of Aphasia Institute’s longest serving volunteers.

“I get enormous pleasure from the work I do. I think there are very few things more rewarding than seeing somebody who really has not had what I call a proper conversation,” says Anna.

In the Introductory Program, she primarily works with clients who have very little verbal output, and who arrive apprehensive. “They might be thinking – ‘do they know I can’t speak’ , ‘do they understand how difficult this is for me?’, ” says Anna. “However all of that changes after just a few weeks as confidence grows and members begin to open up and express their opinion, share their joys and their sorrows in a new community that offers hope for the future.”

Norma