A Note from Maura
The diagnosis, the questioning, the searching, the connecting, the understanding…that you are NOT alone. Whether an individual’s aphasia is the result of a stroke, a traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, infection or one of these insidious, frustrating neurological impairments (i.e. PPA/FTD)…the process, of what a dear friend/TAP client calls “discovery”, is much the same. It reminds me of the the legendary work by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and her identification of the five stages of necessary grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. This framework and variations of it, are represented as well in the experiences of loss for individuals diagnosed with aphasia.
There was a time, certainly as I recall in the beginning of my career as a Speech Language Pathologist, that individuals were handed the diagnosis of aphasia with little explanation, and even less hope. The structured, clinical and medical model had inherent timelines and used words that are banned here at TAP: “plateau” and “can’t”. Therapists were frustrated by the restrictions of funders and clients/families were frustrated by the lack of options.
Fortunately, as the social, pragmatic and life participation approaches formed, the opportunities for discovery, connection, continued stimulation and engagement also rose to the foreground. In today’s story, we hear from a gentleman whose life purpose was to guide, support and counsel individuals and couples struggling with life’s challenges. Now, Bill Campbell had to make choices, had to find positive and healing ways to deal with a diagnosis of aphasia, that would rob him of language, but NOT of what he had to say! I know you will be impressed by his grit, determination and yes… his faith.
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Bill Campbell
I was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) in February 2020 and this diagnosis is the biggest battle in my life. Aphasia includes four domains that affect your life: speech, hearing/processing words, writing and reading. I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) but I stopped providing counseling services because aphasia impacts my ability to talk and process words when I’m talking to others. I loved counseling couples and families and God blessed me to help people when they were facing family conflict. My life was fulfilled, and I believed I was on the right path and that God was directing my steps. 
I worked with married couples, families, and pre-marriage couples to address relationship problems. My wife and I were Directors of the Marriage Ministry at our church in New Jersey. Also, God gave me an opportunity to receive M.Div. and D. Min degrees in Pastoral Counseling. In addition, I received an Ed.S. degree for Marriage and Family Therapy. With His grace, I passed the LMFT board examination.
After the diagnosis, I had a conversation with God. I was complaining about why He would allow my health circumstances to shut down my ministry. God did not hesitate in His response. I didn’t hear God’s voice audibly and I didn’t receive His message when I was reading the bible, but His words clearly came to my mind: It’s not your ministry. It’s My ministry! On a macro level, I understood that it was God’s ministry because God provided me everything that I needed to assist others. But, on a micro level, I thought the ministry was mine which is a falsehood.
One of the important lessons I learned from being diagnosed with aphasia, is fighting falsehoods, such as you’re feel alone and God doesn’t care for your situations. Consequently, lies become stronger each day when you’re not demonstrating courage. I was in the war of my life and I needed help. One day, I researched aphasia online and found TAP support groups. I emailed Maura and she invited my wife and me to a zoom session to explain the program. Also, she sent me to the website with the weekly schedule for TAP support groups. I decided to join the TAP Bible Class. The Bible class leader, Julia, welcomed me to the group and I felt I was at home.
Before joining the TAP Bible class, I participated in two other Bible classes, but the TAP Bible class was the best because I was comfortable and the classmates knew about my struggles because they had similar circumstances. My speech therapist recommended that I write a journal about my aphasia story and I shared the journal with the TAP Bible classmates. After they read my journal articles, they encouraged me to move forward and supported me to write a book for married couples. Every Wednesday, I look forward to meeting my classmates during our Bible Study time together.
Also, I was an e-pal with the TAP Connections program and I connected with two UNC graduate students weekly. Connecting with these students was such an inspiration to me. I truly enjoyed working with them. I thank God that I found TAP and God put me on the right path… walking in His grace. TAP has motivated me and I look forward to joining other groups and maybe even volunteering for TAP in the future. The TAP organization provides positive support and is a lifeline for people who are going through their aphasia journey. No words can truly express the importance that TAP resources provide to aphasia clients and their family!
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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