Chris

“Over time, we explored how powerful the device could be beyond the clinic and how it could open doors for him in everyday life,” says Georgia.

“Together we began adding personalised phrases for ‘real world’ situations that mattered to him, like social outings and community interactions. What’s been really wonderful is seeing Chris start to take his device out into the community…he’s using it to express himself, make choices, and navigate social situations with growing confidence and independence.”

Chris has received such positive reactions from members of the public in relation to his communication device, particularly from patrons at his local pub, who show a keen interest in it, which has encouraged Chris to feel more confident in its regular use.

“It has enabled Chris to educate and empower others, teaching them about how his communication device supports his everyday communication, which is really special,” says Georgia.

During their sessions, Georgia helps Chris to build meaningful sentences, so he can share stories and his day-today experiences with clarity and confidence. They also work on articulation of specific sounds to improve his overall speech intelligibility, using structured practice and real-life communication tasks. She also incorporates functional communication goals using Chris’s communication device.

“This includes adding personalised vocabulary and phrases that reflect his routines and interests, then practicing them through role play. We rehearse scenarios like ordering a beer at the pub, checking in at a medical appointment, booking appointments…These scenarios make therapy more engaging and ensure Chris is building skills directly applicable to his daily life.”

Outside of his therapy sessions with Georgia, Chris enjoys spending time with Moira, who is an active support in many areas of his daily living, from grocery shopping and cooking him meals, to going on weekly visits to their local pub together, and regular visits to the Lego store!

“Chris has the most insane Lego collection at home,” says Georgia. “It’s so impressive given he has little function in his right upper limb – he still manages to build the most intricate Lego models ever!”

On the relationship he shares with Moira, Georgia says he couldn’t have better support.

“Their relationship is one of the most special I have ever come across in my career,” says Georgia.

Moira is also a strong advocate in the stroke community and is currently Chairperson for the northern suburbs support group for the Stroke Foundation.

Proud of his progress, she says the communication device is a big step in Chris’s speech journey.

“I am so excited about it, the first time he used it I cried!” she says. “For tasks like doctors’ appointments, I was always his support person and would need to go with him. Now he can go on his own and I know he’ll be able to get what he needs.

“It just makes me feel more secure and I know he’ll be able to communicate and advocate for himself in any situation.”

Harnessing the power of his communication device has been a game-changer for Chris, as have his sessions at Rocky Bay.

“It’s been such a great help, I feel confident using it out and about, it’s much easier to have conversations. I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come!” he says. 

“I always look forward to seeing Georgia every week, she makes every session fun, and we all have a laugh and a joke together. She’s really helped me come a long way in terms of my speech and using the communication device.”