About the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Group
The Chippewa Valley Aphasia Group began in 1997. This group was created through a unique partnership between Speech Pathologists from Luther Hospital, students from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and community volunteers. The aphasia group provided therapeutic activities and education for people with aphasia and their spouses. Our group sessions included language practice, but the emphasis was on meaningful conversation and ‘getting back into life’ after stroke.
The Chippewa Valley Aphasia Group has recently incorporated into a non-profit organization. During 2011, we have completed listening sessions with our group members, reviewed issues of cost, revised our schedules and developed new programming approaches.
Our Mission: The mission of the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Group is to promote community participation, meaningful relationships and successful communication for people with aphasia.
Our Vision: To see individuals with aphasia and their families engaging in satisfying conversations, meaningful activity and sharing their expertise in the Chippewa Valley community. To see Health care providers enthusiastically referring individuals with aphasia to Chippewa Valley Aphasia Group to foster improvement in communication skills and rebuild personal confidence.
Our Values: People with aphasia have told us in many ways that difficulty with communication means that they are left out of social interaction. They have shown us that this is a very complex and frustrating problem that has only partially responded to traditional therapeutic approaches.
We believe that people with aphasia and their communication partners are most successful when together they balance the “work” of conversation.
We believe that effective communication builds relationships and meaningful relationships foster change.
We believe that the personal journey story of every member of our group can strengthen our group.
We believe that confident participation comes from feeling safe/comfortable and making personally relevant choices.
We believe that personal action plans help realize possibilities, encourage reflection on progress and foster independence.
We respect the way adults learn and we offer experiences, explanations, and opportunity for exploration of topics of interes
It is our purpose to provide a sensitive, hopeful, challenging environment for all members of the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Group.
Who should attend ?
- Individuals with a diagnosis of aphasia.
- Significant others.
- Family members. (Aphasia affects every one in the family)
When does the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Group meet?
We meet every other Friday. (see calendar on this site) Group times: 10:30-12
Where does Chippewa Valley Aphasia Group meet?
University of WI- Eau Claire, Human Sciences and Services Building, 239 Water Street, Eau Claire
What happens at the Aphasia Group?
- The aphasia group atmosphere is designed to encourage comfortable social conversation.
- The group setting provides an opportunity to meet and share with others who live with aphasia.
- The group curriculum provides opportunities to practice communication, learn about new activity and technology.
- We work on conversation, communication, reading, writing, action plans, problem solving, and getting back to preferred activities.
What other opportunities are available through the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Group?
Small group meetings (Clubs) meet on a quarterly basis. Club activities include: technology, cooking, reading, Eau Claire history, photography, and writing.
Who are the leaders?
Speech language Pathologists: Mary Beth Clark MS CCC/SLP, Jerry Hoepner PhD. CCC/SLP, Tom Sather ABD CCC/SLP, Carin Keyes MS CCC/SLP
Group membership:
Each member completes a member profile.
Social Network needs and Personal Action Plan goals are devised.
Cost: Yearly membership is $200.00 per year or $10 per meeting.
What are the benefits of a group?
- Meaningful relationships
- Monthly meetings for socialization
- Opportunities for conversation practicePersonal confidenceCaring, knowledgeable staff
- Staff guided – Self directed practice
- Contribution to the Eau Claire community’s understanding of aphasia