Success Stories

Going Blue for Brandi | Brandi’s Story

February 5, 2024 General, News, Success Story, UCLL, UMAP

Family has always been a central value for Brandi Garden. For over 30 years, she focused on raising two children and building a life with her husband, Doug.  She remained close to her family, including her sister, aunts, uncles, and…

Singing Again After Aphasia | Bruce’s Story

December 20, 2023 General, News, Success Story, UCLL, UMAP

“Would you wear a helmet, please? You really need to get a helmet.” “Why? I know, but the good ones are expensive.” “To protect your head. It’s your head.” “I’ll think about it.” These words would haunt Bruce and Jeanne…

Waking Up With Aphasia | Al’s Story

September 7, 2023 General, News, Success Story, UCLL, UMAP

Waking up in an intensive care unit (ICU) would be a scary experience for anyone. Waking up in an ICU and not being able to speak? Even scarier.  Al and Gretchen (photo courtesy of Gretchen). In 2020, Al and Gretchen…

Faith, Family, and Church Community See Jeff and Mariah through the Challenges of Aphasia

June 1, 2023 General, News, Success Story, UCLL, UMAP

Chapter 1 Jeff Windt enjoyed preaching and working with local families. The tools of his trade were words. For years, Jeff had been a pillar in his community. He was a leader at Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, South Carolina,…

Like Daughter, Like Mother – Finding the Beauty in Aphasia

May 11, 2023 General, News, Success Story, UCLL, UMAP

Parents hope to share a bond with their children, especially as they get older. After years of raising and nurturing a child, many parents look forward to getting to see their children grow into adults and appreciate who they are…

Aphasia Fund Breaks the $100K Donations Mark and Growing!

March 11, 2022 General, News, Success Story, UCLL

When Tyler Thomas set out to complete a full Ironman competition in fall 2021, he knew dedicating the race to close family friend Tim Wadhams felt right. Tyler decided to tackle the feat of endurance in honor of Tim —…

Racing Toward Aphasia Awareness: Tyler Thomas Takes on Ironman Triathlon

September 20, 2021 News, Success Story, UCLL, UMAP

UPDATE: Tyler completed the Chattanooga Ironman in just over 12 hours, on Sept. 26. He finished #37 in his age group, an impressive showing! Tim and Laurie were at the finish line to help him celebrate this major accomplishment. Tim…

Shedding Light on Aphasia: Carol’s Story

August 18, 2021 General, News, Success Story, UCLL, UMAP

Meet Carol Viventi Born and raised in Detroit, Carol Viventi currently lives in East Lansing, Michigan with her family. Carol had a stroke three years ago, and has both apraxia and aphasia. We asked Carol, a U-M Aphasia Program client,…

Taking a Teamwork Approach to Recovery: Tom and Janice’s Story

January 13, 2020 Success Story, UMAP

  Name: Tom and Janice Herlihy Hometown: Burlingame, California  Tom and Janice are the kind of couple that when you mention one, you usually mention the other. Traveling, raising their kids, moving cross country, enjoying life — Tom and Janice,…

Searching For Teletherapy, Finding UMAP

December 13, 2019 Success Story, UCLL, UMAP

Stacy and Rhetta Johnstone  Hometown: Ventura, California Stacy and Rhetta Johnstone have been together for 40 years. “We kinda grew up together,” said Rhetta. “It’s always been fun being with Stacy.”  After Stacy’s stroke in 2016 and subsequent aphasia and…