Event raises aphasia awareness

Community event raises awareness of language disorder

In June, members of the UF Health Shands Rehab Hospital’s Aphasia Book Club hosted a special screening of “Aphasia the Movie,” a true story about a man suffering from aphasia as a result of a stroke. Aphasia is a language disorder which can occur after injury to part of the brain.

Held at the Hippodrome Cinema, the event included testimonials from group members and an informal Q&A session.

(Left) Beth Heitman and volunteer Meghan Hollen greet attendees.

(Left) Beth Heitman and volunteer Meghan Hollen greet attendees.

Led by staff members Kerry Lenius, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, speech language pathologist and clinical coordinator, and Beth Heitman, M.A., CCC-SLP, speech language pathologist, the book club meets weekly to discuss aphasia.

“Events like this act as a platform to raise awareness about aphasia in the local community,” Lenius said. “Our group helps people share how aphasia has impacted their lives along with ways to learn, grow and continue life with aphasia.”

This event was a product of a grant UF Health Shands Rehab Hospital received through the UF Medical Guild. For more information about the Aphasia Book Club, visit UFHealth.org/events/aphasia-book-club.