Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation where you know what you want to say, but just can’t think of the right words to say it? Or have you thought “the word is on the tip of my tongue?” If so, then you have had a small glimpse into the world of someone with Aphasia.
Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder-meaning you aren’t born with it- that impairs a person’s ability to process language. Aphasia does NOT affect a person’s intelligence, but does affect the ability to speak and understand others, as well as causing difficulty reading and writing, which is often misinterpreted as impaired intelligence. Aphasia is always caused by an injury to the brain; such as stroke, head trauma, brain tumor or infections.
Although there is no cure for Aphasia, there are individuals who are able to regain a good deal of their language skills. Speech therapy are some of the most common forms of treatment for those with Aphasia, however the resources once a patient is past the therapeutic stage are limited. Even though over two million Americans suffer from Aphasia, there is very little awareness about the disorder. One Holly Springs group is trying to change that.
Since Aphasia affects a person’s ability to verbally communicate, what better way to strengthen those skills than to communicate as much as possible? Throw in the fact that they can communicate with those who understand and can relate to their struggle, and you have a winning combination. TAProots provides this outlet for those in and around the Holly Springs area who are living with Aphasia. TAProots is part of TAP or Triangle Aphasia Project Unlimited. TAP provides collaborate programming, compassionate care and education for those living with Aphasia and their loved ones. TAProots has taken that level of care and compassion and has incorporated self-help and community to the mix.
What started as just a lawn and an idea in 2011, has grown into a community of Aphasia patients, their friends and families, 1/10th of an acre of over 50 different types of vegetables and between one-half to one ton of vegetables. TAProots is a program, in collaboration with the Holly Springs Food Cupboard, where people with Aphasia can come and socialize and reignite the passion they once had for gardening and community, that may have disappeared with the onset of Aphasia. Jerry DeWitt, a member of the Food Cupboard board of directors and the garden director, as well as president of the Holly Springs Garden Club, has watched this group, and its garden, grow from a single seed to a bountiful harvest. “The Holly Springs Garden Club has a working arrangement with the food cupboard to maintain the garden, and we work with TAProots and Master Gardeners to provide vegetables to over 500 people per month,” he said. In addition to providing fresh ingredients for the food pantry, the TAProots program helps with motor skills and communication for those that attend. Actions like putting seeds into a packet, that might seem insignificant to many, can help strengthen the dexterity of someone who has suffered from a stroke or injury.
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ut the garden does so much more than simply provide fruits and vegetables, it provides a sense of self-worth and purpose to those that have lost the most basic human function, communication. Because a majority of those with Aphasia also have physical restrictions due to stroke or injury, the garden is equipped with several structures that are specific for those with limited mobility. Mr. Dewitt explained that the garden has raised plant beds with wood handles that can be used to lean on for those who need additional stability. “These were built specifically for the TAProots members so they can lean and not have to bend,” he said. The TAProots group has between 70-80 flats of plants that are used in the garden. They also give away plants to clients of the food cupboard so they can start their own garden, and plants are sold at the TAProots annual plant sale.
Although they do receive donations from area companies like Taylor’s Nursery in Raleigh, a continued supporter of the program, the TAProots group is completely self-funded. Any extra expenses, such as field trips to the Duke Gardens, are paid for by its members. The Holly Springs Food Cupboard is also funded completely by donations, and the TAProots members donate the proceeds from their annual plant sale to the food pantry. In addition, the pantry holds a Golf Tournament and a spring social each year.
The members of the TAProots group are so much more than people battling a disorder, they are fighters who refuse to give up on what they love. They are a family who supports one another and laughs at the jokes and cries with the heartache. All you have to do is take a look around the room to see what this family means to each other.
Jen Cuthbertson, with her completely infectious smile, does not let Aphasia stop her from taking the reins and leading the meeting. She patiently waits for the words to come, not only from those speaking, but from her own thoughts as well.
Rieppe Hendrick, one of the group’s mentors and founders, although she does not have Aphasia herself, she is a speech pathologist and helps those in the group find the words when they simply won’t come. She guides them, does not rush them, to think of the word they meant to say and helps them with the communication tools to find them.
Rachel, who has been a part of TAProots since its inception, greets every person that walks into the meeting with a smile and a hug. Her sense of humor and memory are incredible…does anyone else remember Bullwinkle’s in Cary?
The group is also comprised of spouses of Aphasia patients. Mark, who has Aphasia, is there with his wife Barb, greeting everyone with a smile and a hug. Sylvia and her husband, Mitchell, are obviously loved dearly by the group, which is evident in the outpouring of love they receive as they walk through the door. Krystal and her husband Nate, who are the epitome of what a loving married couple should be, both come in looking excited to be with their extended family. Krystal’s smile lights up the room, and although her words may be few, she is not afraid to “throw her husband under the bus” when he forgets about an email!
Each person has their own story of how they got to this place. This place of struggling to find their voice that once came so effortlessly. This place of limits where there weren’t any before. This place of hope. Hope that they can once again find their voice among friends that can relate. This place of encouragement, grace and patience in a world that that is always in a hurry. This safe place where they can take their time and where they are understood without ever having to say a word.
For more information about TAProots, or to find out how you can help, please visit www.taprootsblog.org. For more information about Aphasia please visit www.aphasiaproject.org. Information about the Holly Springs Food Cupboard can be found at www.hsfoodcupboard.org.
