Similar to many other programs launched at Project Worthmore, the Shannon Speech clinic started as a simple idea: To provide speech-language services to a population that is both over- and under-identified with communication disorders.
Having worked as a speech-language pathologist at The Children’s Hospital Colorado for over 5 years, I was very aware of the man
y disorders (i.e., autism, cerebral palsy, stuttering, traumatic brain injury, cleft palate, etc.) that can inhibit the normal development of communication skills. As I became more familiar with our refugee population through work with PWM, I had a big concern form regarding families being able to access care when it’s needed. Who is available to evaluate and treat our refugee population? What happens to refugee children who have true communication impairments but have no options for treatment?
Given the support of the Project Worthmore board and a very special donor, a room at the Mango House was assigned to become the new speech clinic. Materials were purchased, the room was prepped and I was brushing up on all sorts of literature regarding best practices for serving English Language Learners and Multilingual speakers. It was both an exciting and scary time, filled with much opportunity and uncharted territory.
Fortunately there was a small army of cheerleaders to offer words of encouragement and unending support through moments of doubt. One friend in particular was always there from jump, sending reminders of how important this clinic would be and how Project Worthmore was fully capable of creating it. This friend and fellow speech-language pathologist, Shannon Szameitat, convinced me that we are capable of things beyond what we often deem possible. That with faith and fortitude, new realities can be created that surpass what we may have thought conceivable. She, along with many of our refugee friends and neighbors, are living proof of this. It is with her passion for ensuring all peoples are included, with her belief that we do have the power to create change and in her honor that we named this clinic: The Project Worthmore Shannon Speech Clinic.
On May 5th the Shannon speech clinic evaluated its first patient who was in need of speech therapy. We anticipate that this child will be one of many who we are able to reach within our refugee community. We send a big thank you to all have made programs such as this one possible! Without you, continued growth of programs such as this one would simply not exist.
