April is Diversity and Inclusion Month which was started in 2004 to recognize and honor the diversity surrounding us all including gender, age, disabilities, cultural background and more. By celebrating differences and similarities during this month, MnCAN hopes that people will get a deeper understanding of each other and learn how to be inclusive of people with aphasia. [Source: Diversity Best Practices]

Aphasia, sometimes viewed as an invisible disability or diagnosis, is a communication disorder which may affect a person's ability to talk, understand, read and/or write. Aphasia does not impact intellect.

MnCAN is an organization dedicated to providing education about aphasia in addition to our programs for people with aphasia. We wanted to take an opportunity to share some tips on making conversation inclusive for a person with aphasia:

Use all modalities of communication (write, gesture, draw).
Try not to talk for a person with aphasia, unless they’ve asked for help.
If person with aphasia starts writing, write back to them.
Use humor to take some pressure off...laughter is the best medicine!
Keep treating individuals with aphasia as the mature adults that they are.
Create opportunities for and encourage communication.
Be patient.
Include the person with aphasia in conversations.

Looking for more tips to support communication for people with aphasia? Read more here from The Mayo Clinic: Understanding aphasia: 10 tips for improving communication

Program Updates

The eight-week summer session will start in June. Payment invoices will be sent from Quickbooks/Intuit, so watch your email! If you do not see one by May 5, please check your junk/spam folder or email Angie at angie@mncan.org.
MnCAN has launched a Book Club for People With Aphasia. If you would like more information on the summer book club, please email contact@mncan.org. Spots are filling quickly!

What year did you join MnCAN?

Terry joined MnCAN in March of 2018. He is part of the Roseville Aphasia Group and a Drama Club member.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Exercise at gym twice at week.
Swim at the pool twice a week.
Golf 2 or 3 times a week.
Attend live music as frequently as possible, usually at the Dakota.
Attend grandchildren athletics when possible. Hockey, baseball and golf for grandson and volleyball and golf for granddaughter.

What do you enjoy most about MnCAN?

Really like the positivity of sharing problem solving with people who share the same struggles I confront each day.

Did you know MnCAN collaborates with local community organizations to maximize support for people with aphasia?

Our most recent collaboration was with Tobii Dynavox Solution Consultants, Amy Kirby and Dannel Friel. They visited our Staying Connected PPA Program to discuss alternative and augmentative communication devices. Tobii Dynavox is a distributor of speech generating devices and assistive technology for communication.

Here are just a few ways that a communication device can support conversation for people with aphasia:

create a shared space with built-in support to engage in conversation
quick access to words and phrases that are specific to the individual with aphasia
use photos to share and discuss thoughts, opinions and memories

We are so grateful that we are able to partner Tobii Dynavox. Thank you, Dannel and Amy!