Hi, my name is Jan Bruce. In 2012 I diagnosed with a progressive degenerative neurological disease. I was referred to CAYA in 2013 when my speech was becoming slurred and difficult for people to understand. When care givers couldn’t understand what I was trying to say. My handwriting was laborious and very slow. The CAYA team, a Speech Language Pathologist and a SLP Assistant, came to my home on a small Northern Gulf Island
The team assessed my needs and made a plan with me. I was introduced to text to speech programs on a CAYA iPad. Through email they helped me use the text to speech programs more proficiently. As my illness progressed CAYA has continued to adapt my speech aides with the use of special switches and mounts so I can safely use the iPad to communicate when I am in my wheelchair. They have worked collaboratively with other health professionals to support my communication.
When my spouse died I no longer a voice to make phone calls. CAYA introduced me to IP Relay service which allows me to make phone calls with the help of an operator.
When I was placed in a residential facility in 2019, I met a new CAYA team who picked up where the Island team had left off. My needs in a facility were quite different than living in my home. CAYA formulated a plan, supporting me and educating the health professionals on how to communicate with frontline staff. Many interventions were quickly implemented and the CAYA team also created a training video for the facility to use as an educational tool with staff.
As my condition changes, CAYA is there to assess my new needs and find new ways for me to continue to communicate.
The ongoing support of CAYA has enabled me to meet new friends, continue to be engaged with advocacy groups, and strengthen relationships with people I care about. Most importantly I have a way to communicate my wishes and decisions, large and small.
Thank you CAYA!
