You are the King of Aphasia Awareness

“God Bless you, Tom!  And Happy Birthday! There are no words to describe the depth of our gratitude for all that you do for this community.  You are the King of Aphasia Awareness, and our lives, and the lives of countless others, are so much better for it.  Thank you for your astonishing brilliance, your unwavering commitment, your steadfast resilience, and your inspiring faith in the power to heal.  We are indebted to the extraordinary legacy that you continue to build and are honored to call you a friend. We just made our birthday donation to Aphasia Nation.  Love and Solidarity”

Malik Gillani, Founding Executive Director and Jamil Khoury, Founding Executive Artistic Director, SILK ROAD CULTURAL CENTER, Chicago, IL

You were Awesome and I really learned a lot from you!

“Dear Tom, thank you so much for sharing yesterday at the conference. You were Awesome and I really learned a lot from you. You were so vulnerable in sharing what you have been through and how you have come out of it to now help others. I really admire you for that. You sure have a lot of knowledge to share with others and we sure can benefit from your willingness to teach us. I also appreciate all the tools you are so willing to share with us with your articles, newsletter and videos. May the Lord bless you and keep you healthy so you can continue with this ministry of yours. Thank you so much again”

Students all a-buzz at class at West Virginia University!

“Thank you so much for coming to speak with us last night! The students were a-buzz after you signed off and we had a great discussion about your story and how it relates to our class information. They really learned a lot from you and I’m so appreciative!”

Teaching us about neuroplasticity and helping us be better SLPs.

“Dr. Broussard (Tom), Thank you for sharing your story, educating our students, teaching us about neuroplasticity and helping us be better SLPs. Your lecture to our CSD 501 class was incredible! A few comments from the students: “Dr. Broussard’s words inspired me to be a better person and SLP.” “He was incredible! Dr. Broussard’s lecture made so much sense and meant a lot coming from a person with aphasia. Thank you! Jodi and 41 students from Jacksonville University.” Jodi Morgan, CCC-SLP, Brooks Rehabilitation Aphasia Center Manager, Clinical Assistant Professor Jacksonville University, 2700 University Blvd West Building B, Jacksonville, Florida 32217 (11/3/2022).

Comments of those who participated in Dr. Broussard’s Chesapeake Forum Zoom presentation

(1) Outstanding! I thought the discussion that included former stroke patients added a lot to the presentation.

(2) An amazing session!! The instructor was informative, knowledgeable and empathetic. He gave us so much to think about and process.

(3) I appreciated the presenter’s information. His suggestions will help me and my sister as we manage her aphasia journey. Thank you.
(4) Great foundation of information about stroke and aphasia recovery, presented in a friendly manner that led to a useful discussion.

(5) I was driving and could not see visuals but the subject was important. I’m so glad someone is finally educating the world about aphasia”

Chesapeake Forum, an Academy for Lifelong Learning, Easton, MD (9/20/2022).

SLPs are both cheerleaders and coaches for PWAs!

“Hi Tom, Thank you for continuing to include me in your truly authentic and beautiful article updates.  Your words are so powerful, poignant, and insightful. I appreciate your outlook on the role of SLPs with PWA and your analogy about SLPs being both cheerleaders and coaches and PWA being the players. You are amazing, take care.” Lindsay Tretton, M.S., CF-SLP, Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Providence, RI (9/23/2022).

A remarkable testament to your perseverance and your expertise as an educator.

“Thank you, Tom, for sharing your story and promoting recovery from the effects of a stroke (especially the challenges of aphasia).  Your efforts across our nation to provide education and hope is a remarkable testament to your perseverance and your expertise as an educator.

I look forward to working with you again. Thanks again, Gene”

Tom, you really connect with & inspire these people!

“Dear Dr. Tom, Thank you for speaking to the Aphasia Boot Camp for the 4^th summer in a row! You are a favorite to those who already know you…and a new source of inspiration to those hearing you for the first time.

They might have told you I was sick & not able to be there in person. So sorry to interrupt your talk with my “chicken noodle” ha! Thought I was on mute.

Anyway, I zoomed into individual sessions today & they are all making reference to you & your encouragement. You make such a difference!

You’d be so proud of Cydney – she’s led an aphasia advocacy group at Boot Camp this year w/confidence & passion for Aphasia Nation. Patricia’s bus broke down, but she made it to part of your talk.

Tom, you really connect with & inspire these people. Thank you for your important work! Sincerely, Tawni Ballinger”

THANK YOU FOR SPREADING KNOWLEDGE OF APHASIA SEEDS IN MEMPHIS!

“HI, DR. TOM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND COMING ON THE CALL WEARING CAMP ATTIRE! THE CONTENT YOU CHOSE WAS PERFECT; MY SPONGE HELD ITS SHAPE.

ONE OF THE CAREGIVERS WAS DELIGHTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE DRIVING PAMPHLET ON THE APHASIA NATION WEBSITE TOMORROW MORNING THE APHASIA ADVOCACY GROUP WILL TWEAK THE MEMPHIS CONTENT OF THE “WHAT IS APHASIA” PAMPHLET ON THE APHASIA NATION WEBSITE.  THE GRAD STUDENTS WILL PUT IT IN THE MEMPHIS APHASIA COMMUNITY WEBSITE!  THEN THE MEMBERS WILL GET THEM PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED TO THE PLACES YOU SUGGESTED.

LOOK WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!  THANK YOU FOR SPREADING KNOWLEDGE OF APHASIA SEEDS IN MEMPHIS. ALL THE BEST! CYDNEY”

Love the analogy of the coppicing trees!

“Hello Tom, Thank you so much for the fantastic interview and information today!  So proud to have this association with you and Aphasia Nation.  You are doing great work and I think we could urge our SLPs to look further into their hospital settings to make sure their info about aphasia listed in the online reference info to give to patients.  I think we would be surprised with how many are missing this diagnosis in the info packets.

Love the analogy of the trees!  I have given away several copies of your book already and am offering it now to the next two donations to come in for MnCAN programs!  I have also shared your cards with several people as a thank you for support.  I think we’ll use them as displays and giveaways at our upcoming fundraiser too.  Thank you so much for sharing these items with us as well.  We look forward to a continuing relationship with you and your mission!  Julia”

You’re walking the walk.  No one is more qualified to talk the talk!

“Thank you!   Yes, please put me on your list for the real McCoy and never doubt the merit of your effort.  You’re walking the walk.  No one is more qualified to talk the talk – and you do so in a way that others, especially those recovering, can understand. I’ve been reading your posts for some time now and regret I did not speak up sooner.  Have you ever done an educational class for young clinicians?  They would so benefit from your wisdom and experience on “how to…”  I’ll be quoting you!  Wishing you a lovely Memorial Day weekend. Warmest regards, Susan.”

Susan I. Wranik, MS, MA CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist, LSVT-LOUD Certified Clinician, SpeakSkill LLC, www.speakskill.com (5/26/2022).

A beautiful way of explaining complicated processes!

“Read your email newsletter. You have such a beautiful way of explaining complicated processes so they are understandable to clueless people like me! You are so valuable to the many people who are trying to understand Aphasia and how the brain works to recover. I look forward to reading the full article! Fran”