Mike's Journey to Halifax

Mike is a storyteller. Or he was until he suffered a major stroke in April 2015. The stroke resulted in a total loss of all types of communication (speaking, reading, and writing) due to the resulting aphasia and apraxia. On the positive side, the physical deficits were limited - but with the inability to communicate and the loss of many needed skills (i.e. basic math computation) Mike has been unable to work. The Ontario medical system has been a strong support with his issues, providing some initial speech rehab at St. Mary’s on the Lake, Kingston. But unfortunately this has not been enough to get Mike speaking and ultimately working again.
While at St. Mary’s we learned of the InteRACT Program (www.dal.ca/diff/inteRACT.html) offered through Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. InteRACT is a unique program offering 4.5 weeks of intense, one-on-one speech therapy. This program is based on a foundation of clinical research in neuroplasticity and builds on the ability of the brain, through intense repetition, to “reprogram” neural pathways. The InteRACT curriculum is unique in North America, both in the length of each session and in how the work is done.

We decided this program was one that would make a major difference in Mike’s recovery, so we made the decision to go despite the very high cost. It is a decision we do not regret as Mike’s hope of recovery and self-esteem was greatly restored. Mike and I both attended all of the sessions since partner participation is a requirement of the program. The specialists worked on different aspects of speech and language and Mike consistently pushed himself to do the tasks at his highest possible level. Each day we saw some improvement in his language and speech which was a great accomplishment as Mike could barely generate more than one word without support in the 8 weeks after the stoke. After the 4.5 weeks in Halifax, Mike left able to generate some words and short sentences. His reading and writing also improved from nothing to being able to read short paragraphs and write a few words – more than we had ever expected.
In the months since, we have been spending approximately 3 hours a day directly working on speech therapy. As he is an extremely tenacious and determined person he does continue to regain speech but at a much more gradual rate. Presently Mike is generating more and longer conversation on his own, even though the words are often halting and difficult to get out. But progress is slow and even limited fluency is still a long way off. The strength and force of the InteRACT Program cannot be recreated at home or with the limited support provided by the medical system. Mike and I know that this intensity is what makes such a difference in a more complete and sustained recovery.

So, we are asking for your help to send Mike back to Halifax  for the June 25 - July 22 session at InteRACT. 

The $24,500 we would like to raise includes:
$18,500 – InteRACT Program fee
$ 3,000 – accommodation in Halifax
$ 1,500 – food not covered by program
$ 1,500 – travel
$ 24,500

Thank you for your consideration in helping Mike become a storyteller again - and getting back to work!

This GoFundMe request has been set up by Melanie Myers, Mike's wife and partner. We live in Bath, Ontario, just west of Kingston. All money rasied will go only to the expenses as outlined above.