Conversation café offers support for people living with aphasia

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Connection over a cup of coffee may seem ordinary, but for people facing communication challenges, it can be grounding and even life-changing.

June marks Aphasia Awareness Month, highlighting a language disorder that affects how people communicate.

Speech-language pathologist Lynsey Keator of Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation said the condition is widespread.

"Aphasia is extremely prevalent. About 1/3 of stroke survivors live with aphasia and go on to live with it chronically," she said.

At Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation, the Constance Sheerr Kittner Conversation Café gives participants a space where there's less pressure on everyday communication.

"So everybody has this shared lived experience, and they're often helping each other if somebody cannot get a word out; they're helping each other out," Keator said.

Jim Keller, who suffered a stroke three years ago, said the slower pace of the group makes conversation more accessible.

"Other people talk real fast... you can't understand them. Here it's slow. With these guys it's good," he said.

Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation's Aphasia Center is marking 30 years of care, making it one of the oldest centers of its kind in the nation.

For more information, visit this page at JeffersonHealth.org.