Courage is powerful, but how do you turn that courage into competence? Confidence comes from structure, and this repeatable 5-step system is the blueprint for every big event, family dinner, or presentation.

Host Genevieve walks you through Bruce’s Self-Advocacy Game Plan, showing how teamwork (Director and Assistant roles) and preparation turn potential stress into success. Learn the exact checklist used to help Bruce walk off stage smiling, proving that communication success comes from planning, not luck.

Key Takeaways (The 5-Step Game Plan)

• Plan the Environment: Call ahead to check logistics (stairs, seating, noise) to create a predictable and supportive communication space.
• Prepare the Message: Practice your main points, focusing on pacing and pauses, to increase familiarity and clarity in high-stress moments.
• Protect Your Energy: Schedule breaks and arrive early to settle in and recharge, honoring your stamina needs to keep your voice strong.
• Establish the Backup Signal: Agree on a simple, invisible cue (like touching a wrist) that means: "You take it from here," creating safety through teamwork.
• Reflect and Adjust: After the event, assess "What worked? What needs to change next time?" to turn fear of the next event into anticipation and continuous growth.

Call to Action If you want to make your gatherings more inclusive—and these strategies work all year—you can get my book Aphasia Inclusive Celebrations at: https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/aphasia-inclusive-celebrations

If you're living with a communication challenge, you know what it feels like when people talk too fast or finish your sentences. Self-advocacy is the courage to stop waiting to be understood and instead, give people the rules to meet you halfway.

Join host Genevieve as she shares how Bruce, living with ataxic dysarthria, rebuilt his confidence by learning to speak up. Discover the 3 Pillars of Advocacy for taking back control: owning your energy, planning ahead, and giving others clear tools to transform awkwardness into understanding. Self-advocacy isn't about confrontation—it's communication by design.

Key Takeaways (The 3 Pillars of Advocacy)

• Own Your Energy Tank: Manage your stamina by scheduling breaks and hydration to keep your speech strong and confidence high.
• Plan the Logistics First: Remove friction points by calling ahead to check for microphones, stairs, or a quiet space to reset.
• Give Others a Clear Tool: Use a small card or note (e.g., "I know what I want to say—it just takes me a little longer. Your patience helps me.") to empower listeners to respond with grace.

Call to Action If you want to make your gatherings more inclusive—and these strategies work all year—you can get my book Aphasia Inclusive Celebrations at: https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/aphasia-inclusive-celebrations

Traveling with aphasia can feel like stepping into the unknown, but it doesn’t have to be guesswork. With a little preparation, you can turn confusion into confidence and prove that life is still ready for participation.

Host Genevieve shares Alvin and Jill's exact 3-Step Travel Game Plan—the system they used to make travel not just possible, but enjoyable. This system, based on the Inclusion Framework and supported by SCA™ principles, gives the person with aphasia agency and independence over their communication and environment.

Key Takeaways (The 3-Step Framework)

• Break Down the Task (Practice What Matters): Curate a small album of photos on a phone and practice a simple, one-sentence story or keyword for each. This pre-loads topics so the brain doesn't search from scratch.
• Re-Establish the Director Role (Plan the Environment): Call ahead to ask the host for a quiet zone—a dedicated corner or spare room—where your loved one can retreat if the noise or pace gets too heavy, honoring their control over energy.
• Frame It as Legacy (Confidence on Paper): Create a short, powerful self-advocacy card (e.g., "I have aphasia. Please speak one at a time and give me a little more time to respond.") to keep in a wallet, providing independent power even when words fail.

Call to Action If you’d like tools to help your family prepare and connect this season, grab Aphasia Inclusive Celebrations—it’s a year-round guide to practical inclusion: https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/aphasia-inclusive-celebrations