A Note from Maura
TAP Unlimited, now in it’s 18th year of service, has focused on the individual with aphasia, their family/friends and the community. It is within these service divisions where we recognize the uniqueness of every situation and the relationships that have been impacted by the presence of aphasia. The terms carer, care partner, care giver, support person, etc. only scratch the surface of the role that a significant person has in one’s life, as these individuals may be a spouse, parent, sibling, friend or child.
2021’s inaugural 12 Days of TAP story reflects a relationship that I can relate to in a very personal way…that of a mother-daughter connection. Saadia’s mother, Mona, suffers from aphasia after valiant battles with cancer. In these years of struggle, Saadia and her entire family gain invaluable lessons in grit, determination and resilience. The respect and admiration that Saadia reveals as she reflects on this journey so far is more than admirable; it is evidence that the proverbial apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Saadia inquiries, searches, advocates and actively pursues opportunities to assist her mother and in doing so, reveals her mother’s gifts to her character.
I hope that reading her story today, as we launch this year’s 12 Days of TAP, you are empowered to pave this recovery road by your own insistence on comprehensive, compassionate care. And know that, without a doubt, you are not alone.
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Mona and Saadia Smith
My Mother, Mona, was diagnosed in 2013 with breast cancer. After a double mastectomy and chemotherapy, she began her recovery back to normal.
She went back to work at her government job for over 25 years where she supervised a team of people in her field of Criminal Justice. She remained active in her sorority. Visiting and playing with her two grand kids were always a treat. My Mother even joined a few boot camps to become physically fit. With the encouragement from her husband, she was determined to make her New Normal even better.
Then at the end of 2018, she began having intense headaches for days. Not soon after, she found out that she had a very rare brain tumor. Extra Skeletal Maxiod Chondrosarcoma. Her doctors were phenomenal and removed the tumor in 2019. Her treatment was progressive, a learning curve due to it’s rarity. At the time, her physical recovery was most important and was prioritized above everything else.
Let’s Fast forward to early 2021, where we are now in the midst of COVID. The rare tumor unfortunately reared its ugly head, once again. We have learned the nature of this aggressive beast and approached treatment more aggressively too. It was removed and we pray that it will never come back.
The location of the brain tumor has done some damage to the left side of her brain. This damage affects movement and feeling on the right side of her body. It also affects her language. Her processing and understanding has been deeply impacted. This has been detrimental to her confidence and social interactions.
After desperation to help her find her New Normal, once again, Google brought us to the Triangle Aphasia Project. TAP has been nothing but a Godsend to my Mother. TAP adds another dimension to her recovery that we did not know she needed. My Mother actively attends TAP virtual groups where she builds her confidence in language, processing and understanding among friends who are fighting the same fight of Aphasia. We are now connected to resources that will further her speech development. Because of TAP, our family is continually learning the best way to communicate so that she feels empowered to feel like the woman she is.
We are Blessed to have found the Triangle Aphasia Project. My Mother, Mona is now motivated to recover physically, socially and spiritually because of the new found confidence that TAP is providing. The support of this organization is unmatched and we believe that my Mother will find and love her New Normal.
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From the Home Office
12 Days of TAP provides you, our Triangle Aphasia Project Unlimited family, an opportunity to embrace the WHY of what we do. For 12 days, we share stories of those impacted by aphasia.
Aphasia can be a devastating impairment resulting in social isolation, depression and disengagement from the passions and purpose of an individual’s life. These stories demonstrate what happens when hope, determination, purpose and engagement are returned.
Our ability to provide accessible, affordable programming for individuals with aphasia and their families is a result of the generosity of our donors. Today, we ask that you continue supporting TAP by sharing these stories to build an understanding of life with aphasia and consider making a donation.
Thank you for your faith in our organization and for supporting the 12 Days of TAP!
Ways to Donate
- Text “tapholidays” to 50155
- Visit aphasiaproject.org to make a one-time donation
- Join our Ice Breaker Club to become a monthly donor
- Donate on our Facebook Fundraiser and share with your friends
- Print and clip the form below and mail a check
- Make a donation of stock; email us for more information