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Aphasia is a language impairment most commonly caused by strokes. Aphasia affects the ability to speak and write, as well as to understand what is said or written. Because communication is central to our interactions with others, aphasia has a broad impact. It affects social, vocational and emotional aspects of an individual's life as well as that of their loved ones.聽 This summer, the Nova Scotia Aphasia Association (NSAA) and March of Dimes - along with faculty and student volunteers from Dalhousie's Speech-Language Pathology program - held the second annual Aphasia Camp to support people living with aphasia.

Ten campers came from across Nova Scotia to Brigadoon Camp in Aylesford for a weekend to participate in recreational activities such as fishing, archery and campfire conversations.聽 For some, the camp is an opportunity to re-engage in activities they may have participated in prior to their brain injury through the use of adaptations - for example, kayaking with an adapted paddle - for others, it's an opportunity to try something new while bonding with others who have aphasia.聽 One of the most important aspects of the weekend is that caregivers stay at home, allowing campers to develop new relationships, and a new sense of independence.聽 Caregivers benefit from a weekend of respite, but campers are still well supported by a 1:1 ratio of volunteers.聽 This year's camp was staffed by the Vice President of the NSAA, Anne Rendell, and three volunteers from the March of Dimes, as well as six student volunteers and Dr. Ellen Hickey from the Speech-Language Pathology program in the School of Human Communication Disorders.聽 As part of the Camp, Dr. Hickey and Pamela Coulter, CDA - a student volunteer - developed a communication partner training program for Brigadoon staff to help them better communicate with the campers.

The camp was a great success providing a wonderful learning opportunity for the volunteers and Brigadoon staff, with campers reporting that they enjoyed an excellent weekend.聽 "Aphasia Camp gave me the opportunity to engage with individuals with Aphasia and hear their stories, challenges and accomplishments." said speech-language pathology student volunteer Heather Simpson, "The camp environment also showed me that Aphasia doesn't limit how meaningfully people can engage with each other to form friendships!" Plans are already in the works for next summer's camp, and organizers are seeking student volunteers from other Health Professions backgrounds.聽 Contact Dr. Ellen Hickey - ehickey@dal.ca - to learn more.

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