National Speech Pathology Week: Jennifer and David's Story

Working at the Wagga Wagga Community Aged Care Service and Specialist Palliative Care Service, Jennifer has spent 19 years supporting people through some of life's most challenging moments. 

Throughout her career, she has worked in acute wards, intensive care, disability services, traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, progressive neurological conditions and aged care, helping people overcome communication and swallowing challenges.

Jennifer's journey into speech pathology began in her first job after leaving school, assisting the Speech Pathology team at Cootamundra Community Health.

"I loved it," Jennifer said. "It opened my eyes to the difference speech pathologists can make in people's lives."

"I love working as a Speech Pathologist in the adult space, as it allows me to make a meaningful difference to patients and their families during some of the most important and vulnerable moments of their lives," she said.

"I value being able to support patients to communicate their needs, wishes and emotions, and to help them maintain their voice and sense of identity for as long as possible. It is a role that is both professionally rewarding and deeply human."

One of those patients is David, and as someone with Parkinson's disease which impacts his speech, he has experienced first-hand how communication challenges can affect confidence, participation and connection.

Before working with Jennifer, David found it increasingly difficult to make himself heard.

"I suffered from a lack of volume when conversing with people," David said. "On many occasions people could not hear me, particularly on the phone and in groups. This led to a lack of participation and confidence."

After a thorough assessment, Jennifer developed an individualised exercise program and worked closely with David to monitor his progress and build his communication skills.

"Jennifer provided various exercise programs for me to undertake and monitored my progress with them," David said.

The results have helped David remain connected with the people and activities that are important to him.

For David, improved communication has meant more than speaking more clearly. It has meant regaining confidence and being able to take part in conversations and social interactions that enrich everyday life.

He believes more people need to understand the vital role speech pathologists play in supporting adults, particularly those who are ageing or living with conditions like Parkinson’s disease.

"Many adults lose contact with their friends, business associates and families," David said. "This can lead to a decline in communication, conversation and articulation skills.”

"Speech Pathologists play an important role in providing information about how speech is achieved and exercises to improve clarity and volume. This leads to greater confidence and the ability to participate in conversations and social groups."

For Jennifer, helping people like David continue to connect with the world around them is what makes speech pathology so rewarding.

"Communication is about much more than speech," she said. "It's about helping people participate in life and continue to be heard."

This Speech Pathology Week takes place from Sunday, August 23 to Saturday, August 29. Thank you Jennifer and David for sharing your story and highlighting the power of communication and the possibilities it creates. 

Thanks also goes all of our wonderful Speech Pathologists like Jennifer across the district. We truly appreciate the vital work you do, across all stages of life. 

Interested in building your allied health career in regional NSW? Find out more about medical careers, training opportunities and life in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District here: www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/mlhd/work-us/medical-careers