Click the link below to the article on the National Aphasia Association’s website featuring MnCAN or scroll down to read the reprinted article:

Affiliate Highlight: Minnesota Connect Aphasia Now

What Makes Minnesota Connect Aphasia Now Unique?

MnCAN currently provides 10 aphasia conversation groups in the Twin Cities area and outstate Minnesota, focusing on supported conversation strategies and life participation goals to support people with aphasia. Our groups are located in churches and facilities within the participant’s own local communities. Three new groups are anticipated in 2018.

Great Success Stories

Participants in the aphasia conversation groups are encouraged to set life participation goals. Some of them have big goals such as starting a business or writing a book. However, one that was the most inspiring was the life participation goal from one of our older participants. Her goal was to be able to write short notes to her friends and family.

She far exceeded this goal when she wrote a lovely tribute to her grandson who was entering an aerospace science graduate program. She did a beautiful job of talking about the emotions she felt when she visited Cape Canaveral and the excitement of knowing that her grandson was pursuing an aerospace science career. The conversation group was moved when she read her tribute.

They Love What They Do

We treasure getting to know the participants with aphasia in a way that reveals their intelligence, humor, personality and depth of life experience. This happens gradually as they all spend time together sharing topics as well as real-life experiences that happen week to week. It’s rewarding to see participants make gains in their social communication confidence and competence when they are surrounded by people in the same situation who understand and are supportive.

Services and Support Groups

MnCAN’s current focus is on community-based aphasia conversation groups. An aphasia choir named Voices Moving Forward is also supported by MnCAN with 17 current members. They perform several times a year with weekly practices. The Voices Moving Forward aphasia choir is directed by a speech pathologist who also has experience as a trained vocalist.

Last Thoughts

The groups are fee-based, but there are many scholarship opportunities available so that financial need is never a barrier.

More Information

Do you live in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area? Contact the Minnesota Connect Aphasia Now for speech services and support groups.

Julia Halvorson
Executive Director
PO Box 27966
Minneapolis, MN 55427

Phone: 612-524-8802
contact@mncan.org

facebook.com/MNconnectaphasianow

We’re spending 2018 highlighting our affiliates in order to make it easier for caregivers to find services for their loved ones. Are you an affiliate of the NAA and would like to be highlighted in a future installment? Please fill out the form and we’ll contact you.