(*The following excerpts are journal entries written by Melissa Johnson, the wife of Phillip Johnson. Phillip has suffered a stroke and these entries tell about the treatment he is receiving in speech therapy. This is my integrating genre.)
August 17, 2006
I know it has been a long time since I have written in my journal but the past month has been very hectic. After Phillip’s stroke a lot of things have happened. About two weeks after his stroke he met with a speech therapist and she performed an evaluation. She told us to get to know her better she would like for us to visit her webliography. She also presented us with a full report on Phillip’s diagnosis and made a PowerPoint presentation on what augmentative devices were and how they worked. After we talked with her I still had some questions so I emailed her and she responded to my email in a very prompt manner. In the email she told me more about what Broca’s aphasia and apraxia are. I was really impressed with her promptness and how helpful she has been to me. I think that Phillip is taking the news of what is going on as well as he can. Yesterday I found a poem that described his thoughts and feelings. It made me want to cry. I really wish there were more options for my husband. I know that the insurance will approve an augmentative device, I just don’t know when. I sure hope it is soon though.
September 1, 2006
After waiting over two weeks for the insurance to respond and no response has been given, I am getting very frustrated. I recently wrote a letter to the newspaper and a guest editorial was done to answer my questions. Along with Phillip’s speech therapist, I made a picture book with common objects as the editorial suggested. The results have not been great. I have talked to Phillip’s speech therapist about my concerns. She even recorded our session so that she would be able to let the insurance hear my concerns. I really hope that the augmentative device for Phillip comes soon. He is really frustrated and feels like everyday is pointless. I know that the device will be so much better for him and he can begin to communicate with the world again.
January 5, 2007
It is the start of a brand new year and Phillip has a new lease on life. After receiving his device two weeks ago, Phillip is happier and communicating when he wants to. I am so glad things have worked out. Without all of the help and support of Phillip’s speech therapist I do not think that this would be possible. I really understand now how important having the correct equipment and support system is for a person with a disorder like Phillip’s.
November 11, 2006 at 1:39 pm
1.Voice: This piece is written in the voice of a wife whose husband recently had a stroke (Broca’s aphasia).
2.Audience: The piece is written for a large audience especially for families with members who have Broca’s aphasia. It is also written for professionals and those who are interested in this topic.
3.Say Back: I think the author is telling about the treatment her husband has received thus far for his Broca’s aphasia while they wait for insurance to approve an augmentative device for the husband. The wife is very dedicated and motivated to really understand her husband’s condition and to get him as much help as possible.
4.Bless: I really liked the way you integrated and gave links to your other genres. This piece is very organized and has a nice flow to it. Each genre really fits well in the journal entries as the author is conveying the ways she is getting help and treatment for her husband. Great Job!
5.Address: I really can’t think of anything to add here. I will admit that I would like to read that the insurance has finally approved the augmentative device. In each genre I have read they are still waiting for the insurance to go through. It might be a good idea to put that Philip finally received his device just to make a happy ending! Good Job!!!
November 13, 2006 at 1:07 am
1. Voice: Whose voice is the piece written in?
~This piece is written in the voice of a woman, whose husband has Broca’s Aphasia.
2. Audience: Who is this piece written for?
~This piece is written for anyone intersted in the topic. It gives information about what has happened since the stroke occurred.
3. Say Back: What is the author saying with this piece?
~The author is discussing what has happened since the stroke and the steps she has taken to get her husband the help he needs.
4. Bless: Something specific in the piece you can bless.
~I like that you gave links to your other genres. I’m hoping this isn’t something we were supposed to do that I didn’t know about. If you thought of it on your own it was a great idea!
5. Address: Something specific in the piece the author should address.
~I think this is a good piece, as were the other genres. I’m having a hard time seeing the links, but I don’t know if there’s anything you can do about that other than maybe putting those words in bold (which still might not help). Good job!