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July 15, 2010 - Aphasia is a disorder affecting a person's ability to not only understand, but use words. Aphasia can be caused by such conditions as wounds to the brain or tumors, but stroke is the most common cause.
There are approximately 4.6 million stroke survivors in the United States alone every year. Of those, almost 1 million suffer from aphasia in some form. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient clinics treat somewhere around 2,000 new cases every year. The Pittsburgh VA Healthcare System runs a distinctive program allowing those veterans suffering from aphasia to regain their speech.
Certain aspects of the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center puts it in a prime place to run this program. For example, residential Villas at the H. John Heinz III VA Progressive Care Center provide veterans with housing during the month of therapy they undergo. A key component of these villas is they are not an institutional environment.
The Program for Intensive Residential Aphasia Treatment & Education (PIRATE) treats 3 veterans every quarter. They come into the program as a group, they undergo therapy together, and they share a 3-bedroom villa. Since 2009, 22 veterans have completed the program and there are 50-60 waiting to get in. While the program will most likely not completely cure the veteran, it will help them make significant progress.
The Pittsburgh VA's program has been funded and merit-reviewed since 1984. Because of the uniqueness of the program, speech-language pathologists have a strong desire to get involved; there is no other place to get aphasia therapy training at that level.
Praise flows from both veteran-patients and their families for the effectiveness of the Pittsburgh VA's unique program. They have the facilities, the experience, and the history of positive results.
Soldiers can return home with a number of conditions, injuries, and aggravated preexisting conditions. If you believe you have a service-connected physical or psychological injury you may be entitled to Veterans’ Disability Compensation.
At LaVan and Neidenberg, we are determined to secure veterans their rightful disability compensation and disability rating. We wrote this book for you! In it you will find valuable tips on how to navigate the claims process and avoid common pitfalls. Request your FREE copy today!
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