Aphasia knocked Kumar down…
the Aphasia Institute helped him get back up.
Kumar is now unstoppable – what a
change from when we first met him.
to participating in this annual walkathon, but
Kumar knew he wasn’t ready for that. What he
could do was raise money!
In 2005, asleep in his bed for the night, Kumar had
a massive stroke. His mother found him the next
morning, unable to speak and with no mobility on
the right side of his body. A stroke and aphasia
had stopped Kumar in his tracks.
We’ll never forget Kumar’s proud smile and
infectious laugh as he presented us with that
first cheque. And he has continued to raise more
money each year for the Walk, Talk ‘n Roll than
the previous year.
A man who had been active his whole life—working
on a farm in his native Guyana; driving a bus;
fixing and painting cars; enjoying baseball and
other sports—Kumar was now barely mobile and
barely able to speak. He had been kicked to the
ground and all his enthusiasm for life taken away.
Everything that gave his life meaning was gone.
And like so many stroke and aphasia survivors,
Kumar now had to rely on others to help him
navigate his life.
Luckily for Kumar, he found
the Aphasia Institute.
In 2006, Kumar found his way to the Aphasia
Institute. Shy, quiet, and withdrawn, at first he didn’t
feel he had come to the right place. He was reluctant
to participate in our conversation groups and often
chose to sleep instead. But with the encouragement
of staff and volunteers, as well as the peer support of
other clients, Kumar’s natural enthusiasm began to
return. He would eventually accept his new life and
welcome the chance to overcome his challenges.
And when that happened…
Kumar was unstoppable.
From unstoppable to giving back
With a newfound strength and renewed positivity,
Kumar wanted to give something back to the
Aphasia Institute and the people who had helped
him to live his life to the fullest again. He had
heard about our signature fundraiser, the Walk,
Talk ‘n Roll. Other clients were looking forward
Last year, Kumar stepped up his game. He was
ready to participate! And he did it by walking with
more than 200 clients, family, staff, and volunteers
in support of the Aphasia Institute – and he raised
more money while he did it.
It will not likely surprise
you to learn that Kumar
plans to walk again
this year.
Kumar and his
proud fundraising
achievement!
Walk, Talk ‘n Roll 2017
How YOU Can Help!
Kumar’s story is one of remarkable struggle and seemingly
insurmountable obstacles. But that’s only part of it. His is also
a story about perseverance and digging deeply within oneself
to reawaken that which seemed lost; that which shapes our
very identity and makes us the person we are. Kumar would
be the first to tell you that he could not have done it without
the Aphasia Institute and the unique relationship that exists
between our clients, our direct service, and our research and
education programs.
None of this would be possible without
the generosity of donors like you!
Your donations have made every Walk, Talk ‘n Roll more
successful than the last. You have helped us to fund our vital
research, providing aphasia education to clinicians from
all over Canada and around the world. And perhaps most
importantly, you have helped ensure that everyone who needs
our aphasia programs and services will get it – that we never
turn anyone away for an inability to pay.
As we celebrate the landmark 20th anniversary of the Walk,
Talk ‘n Roll, please donate or join us this year. You might even
find yourself walking beside Kumar. You’ll know him when
you see him…
He’s the guy with the impossibly big smile.
The annual Walk, Talk ‘n Roll helps
fund support services for clients at the
Aphasia Institute as well as our research
and education initiatives. These services
and initiatives focus on enhancing
communication skills, not just for people
with aphasia but also for the broader
community. This synergistic health-care
model is one of the things that makes
the Aphasia Institute so special. This
would not be possible without our
community’s passionate participation
in the Walk, Talk ‘n Roll!
On Sunday, June 11, 2017, please join
Kumar and his family, along with
our other clients, volunteers, board
members, and staff. Get involved in
one of these ways:
•B
e your own fundraiser by collecting
pledges from your friends and family
•E
ncourage your family and friends
to be their own fundraisers or
participants – we like to call this
friend-raising
•W
alk, Talk or Roll with us –
participation gets the word out about
the important work we do
• Pledge a Walk participant or make
a donation
•V
irtual Walk – if you can’t be there
on June 11th, do a virtual walk
•M
atching Gift – Does your place of
work match charitable gifts made by
its employees? If you’re not sure, ask
your human resources department.
Perhaps you also know a friend whose
place of work does the same? This can
significantly increase how far your
donation will go!
On June 11, 2017, please join us! With
your help, we can keep our promise to
people with aphasia and their families,
helping them navigate their lives...
Kumar (with volunteer John), participating in his first Walk, Talk ‘n Roll
one conversation at a time!
“We help you navigate your life
one conversation at a time.”
That’s our promise to people with aphasia and their
families. Kumar’s experience illustrates the realization
of this promise perfectly.
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