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Send us a text A stroke can feel like a lightning strike on the brain’s power grid—which is why the new 2026 AHA/ASA acute ischemic stroke guidelines focus on speed, clarity, and better systems at every step. We sit down with the chair of the writing group, Dr. Sean Pabakaron, to translate cutting-edge research into actions families, clinicians, and first responders can take right now. No jargon, no fluff—just the signals to watch, the questions to ask, and the processes that save brain. We unpack what changed since the 2018–2019 updates and why more than 50 new trials reshaped the playbook for pre-hospital screening, ER imaging timelines, thrombolysis decision-making, and routing to thrombectomy-capable centers. You’ll learn how tools like FAST and the Cincinnati scale help paramedics identify strokes in the field, why regions now sometimes bypass closer hospitals, and how door-in, door-out time became a critical quality metric for transfers. Inside the ED, we outline the ideal sequence from stroke alert to scan within 25 minutes, to mixing tenecteplase or alteplase, to rapid consults for clot retrieval—because earlier treatment within extended windows still yields better outcomes. We also spotlight a major breakthrough: meaningful guidance for pediatric stroke. Kids present differently, the data are thinner, and the stakes are high. Dr. Prabhakaran explains when thrombolysis and thrombectomy can be considered in expert centers and how causes shift from congenital factors to post-viral arteriopathy or trauma as children age. We close with practical prevention: midlife blood pressure control, access to primary care, and the simple steps that protect cognition and reduce stroke risk over decades. If stroke touches your life—as a survivor, caregiver, clinician, or advocate—this conversation gives you a clear map for a faster, safer response. Listen, share with your circle, and help us spread actionable stroke knowledge. If you find this valuable, follow the show, leave a rating, and tell a friend who needs a smarter plan for brain health. Support your show. Get the Limited edition 2 Neuro Nerds Shirts https://aphasiaadvocates.com/ for Brain Friends Merch https://aphasia.org/event/ask-the-expert-february-2026/ https://www.cognitiverecoverylab.com/seles https://aphasia.org/stories/announcing-the-davetrina-seles-gadson-health-equity-grant-program/ Our beloved colleague, Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, passed away January 11, 2025. Dr. Gadson was an extraordinary speech-language pathologist and neuroscience researcher who devoted her energy to studying health disparities in aphasia recovery. She was a fierce advocate for improving services for individuals with aphasia, particularly Black Americans. Her research transformed our understanding of these health disparities and shed light on how we can address them. We were privileged to have Dr. Gadson as a cherished member of our lab community for four years, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as an Instructor of Rehabilitation Medicine. She was still a close collaborator and friend to many of us at the time of her passing. Dr. Gadson was an incredible person—compassionate, inspiring, and full of life. Her dedication to advancing equity in aphasia recovery and her profound impact on our community will never be forgott...

Send us a text A friendship became a movement when a survivor searching for culturally competent therapy met a clinician who refused to treat equity like an optional add-on. What started as a phone call turned into Brain Friends—a space where lived experience and rigorous science work side by side to make aphasia, stroke recovery, and neuroplasticity feel human, practical, and possible. We walk through the real story: how instant respect turned into a partnership, how roles formed—one voice translating from the trenches, the other anchoring with research—and how that rhythm made complex ideas usable for families, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers. Then the pivot no one wanted: sudden loss. Grief shows up as silence, stalled projects, and episodes too tender to edit. Naming that pain opens a path forward. “Progress over perfection” becomes more than a motto; it’s a care strategy for speech attempts, therapy homework, and the messy edits that stay in the final cut to normalize real recovery. Legacy grounds the work. We highlight the scholarship honoring Dr.Seles Gadson, designed to fund equity-centered clinicians and researchers who center patient-reported outcomes and culturally responsive care. Scholarships don’t run on vibes, and support here turns memory into infrastructure—training, mentorship, and research that actually changes lives. Along the way, we talk about trust in healthcare, the realities Black women face in brain health systems, and why clear, simple language outperforms jargon when the brain is tired and the heart is full. We close with gratitude for a new advocacy award that carries responsibility, an audio message that still lights the room, and a promise to keep showing up for survivors, caregivers, and the professionals who serve them. If this resonates, share it with someone who needs hope they can use, and help sustain the scholarship that keeps this legacy working. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us how you’re choosing progress over perfection today. https://aphasiaadvocates.com/ for Brain Friends Merch https://aphasia.org/event/ask-the-expert-february-2026/ https://www.cognitiverecoverylab.com/seles https://aphasia.org/stories/announcing-the-davetrina-seles-gadson-health-equity-grant-program/ Our beloved colleague, Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, passed away January 11, 2025. Dr. Gadson was an extraordinary speech-language pathologist and neuroscience researcher who devoted her energy to studying health disparities in aphasia recovery. She was a fierce advocate for improving services for individuals with aphasia, particularly Black Americans. Her research transformed our understanding of these health disparities and shed light on how we can address them. We were privileged to have Dr. Gadson as a cherished member of our lab community for four years, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as an Instructor of Rehabilitation Medicine. She was still a close collaborator and friend to many of us at the time of her passing. Dr. Gadson was an incredible person—compassionate, inspiring, and full of life. Her dedication to advancing equity in aphasia recovery and her profound impact on our community will never be forgott...

Send us a text Words don’t just disappear; sometimes the path to them does. We explore what aphasia really is—evidence of brain injury—and why that framing changes everything for survivors, caregivers, and clinicians. Instead of waiting at a broken bridge, we focus on building new routes: consent-based support, yes/no prompts, two-choice options, functional descriptions, and shared signals that turn help into partnership. The result is less pressure, more access, and conversations that actually include the person who’s fighting to be heard. We also dig into the messy truth of inconsistency. On one day, automatic phrases might show up on cue; on another, a simple sentence can stall. That doesn’t mean the thought is gone. Capacity rises and falls with fatigue, stress, speed, and noise. The wardrobe analogy makes it clear: the clothes are there, the drawers are jammed. So we shift the goal from perfect words to being understood—reframing success as clear meaning, not flawless speech. Along the way, we talk about when “take your time” helps and when it hurts, and how a quick reset like “let me say it another way” can unlock progress. Caregivers and clinicians will find pragmatic guidance for protecting dignity while improving outcomes: pace the exchange, reduce choices, offer help with consent, and respect “never mind” as triage, not attitude. We name the emotional weight too—grief and depression that often travel with aphasia—and offer a way forward grounded in partnership. If you suspect aphasia after a stroke or head injury, seek an evaluation and bring these tools to your team. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more people find the conversation. Your support keeps this work moving and makes the path to language a little smoother for everyone. https://aphasiaadvocates.com/ for Brain Friends Merch https://aphasia.org/event/ask-the-expert-february-2026/ https://www.cognitiverecoverylab.com/seles https://aphasia.org/stories/announcing-the-davetrina-seles-gadson-health-equity-grant-program/ Our beloved colleague, Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, passed away January 11, 2025. Dr. Gadson was an extraordinary speech-language pathologist and neuroscience researcher who devoted her energy to studying health disparities in aphasia recovery. She was a fierce advocate for improving services for individuals with aphasia, particularly Black Americans. Her research transformed our understanding of these health disparities and shed light on how we can address them. We were privileged to have Dr. Gadson as a cherished member of our lab community for four years, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as an Instructor of Rehabilitation Medicine. She was still a close collaborator and friend to many of us at the time of her passing. Dr. Gadson was an incredible person—compassionate, inspiring, and full of life. Her dedication to advancing equity in aphasia recovery and her profound impact on our community will never be forgott...

Send us a text A face that slips, a word that won’t come, an arm that won’t lift—tiny moments that point to massive truths about how the brain works, heals, and sometimes declines. I invited Dr. Roy Hamilton, neurologist, neuroplasticity researcher, and one of the clearest teachers in our field, to help us untangle aphasia, dementia, and stroke with practical language and unforgettable analogies. We start by separating terms people often blend. Dementia isn’t just memory loss; it’s a progressive decline across thinking skills that eventually limits independence. Aphasia is a language disorder: after stroke it strikes suddenly and often improves over time, while in primary progressive aphasia it creeps in gradually and can ultimately meet criteria for dementia. Along the way, we explore why prior stroke raises future risk, how small vessel disease can silently chip away at cognition, and what high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking do to the brain’s “sprinkler system.” Then we get tactical. Dr. Hamilton breaks down ischemic versus hemorrhagic stroke, how atrial fibrillation forms clots that travel to the brain, and why time is brain when speech slips or a face droops. Don’t sleep it off—modern teams can give clot‑busting drugs, thread catheters to dissolve or remove clots, and save language if you act fast. We spotlight neuroplasticity as the engine of recovery and show why practice is the original brain‑changing tool. We also share how non‑invasive brain stimulation—magnetic and electrical—aims to boost language networks in subacute stroke and help people with primary progressive aphasia hold on to communication longer. If you or someone you love is navigating aphasia—whether after a recent stroke or as language slowly changes—this conversation blends clarity, science, and hope. Share it with your circle, watch for FAST warning signs, and ask your care team about therapy intensity, prevention, and research options. If this helped you see the brain more clearly, follow the show, leave a rating or review, and pass it on to someone who needs it. https://aphasiaadvocates.com/ for Brain Friends Merch https://aphasia.org/event/ask-the-expert-february-2026/ https://www.cognitiverecoverylab.com/seles https://aphasia.org/stories/announcing-the-davetrina-seles-gadson-health-equity-grant-program/ Our beloved colleague, Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, passed away January 11, 2025. Dr. Gadson was an extraordinary speech-language pathologist and neuroscience researcher who devoted her energy to studying health disparities in aphasia recovery. She was a fierce advocate for improving services for individuals with aphasia, particularly Black Americans. Her research transformed our understanding of these health disparities and shed light on how we can address them. We were privileged to have Dr. Gadson as a cherished member of our lab community for four years, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as an Instructor of Rehabilitation Medicine. She was still a close collaborator and friend to many of us at the time of her passing. Dr. Gadson was an incredible person—compassionate, inspiring, and full of life. Her dedication to advancing equity in aphasia recovery and her profound impact on our community will never be forgott...

Send us a text Dr. Seles shares her harrowing experience of being in Israel when war broke out in October, capturing both the fear of the situation and the remarkable perspective it gave her on American privilege. • Dr. Seles traveled to Israel with a church group of 60 people including her mother • She was baptized in the Jordan River by her childhood pastor who had originally baptized her 20+ years ago • Plans changed suddenly when they were redirected to Jerusalem due to a "developing situation" • They witnessed smoke in the distance as conflict began to escalate • The group had to evacuate to Jordan as airports closed and the situation worsened • Dr. Seles faced challenging experiences at border crossings related to her identity as a Black American woman • She and her mother (Ma Dukes) were separated onto different flights home due to limited evacuation options • The flight home was delayed due to airspace safety concerns, creating additional anxiety • The experience highlighted American passport privilege and the complex dynamics of race, gender, and religion in the region Stroke survivors may experience intensified seasonal depression and anxiety. Dr. Seles and Angie discuss how symptoms like winter blues that might have been a "five" before stroke can increase to a "seven" afterward, requiring additional management strategies. https://aphasiaadvocates.com/ for Brain Friends Merch https://aphasia.org/event/ask-the-expert-february-2026/ https://www.cognitiverecoverylab.com/seles https://aphasia.org/stories/announcing-the-davetrina-seles-gadson-health-equity-grant-program/ Our beloved colleague, Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, passed away January 11, 2025. Dr. Gadson was an extraordinary speech-language pathologist and neuroscience researcher who devoted her energy to studying health disparities in aphasia recovery. She was a fierce advocate for improving services for individuals with aphasia, particularly Black Americans. Her research transformed our understanding of these health disparities and shed light on how we can address them. We were privileged to have Dr. Gadson as a cherished member of our lab community for four years, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as an Instructor of Rehabilitation Medicine. She was still a close collaborator and friend to many of us at the time of her passing. Dr. Gadson was an incredible person—compassionate, inspiring, and full of life. Her dedication to advancing equity in aphasia recovery and her profound impact on our community will never be forgott...

Send us a text Hey Brain Friends, Celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Seles is at the heart of today's episode. I'm sharing the original recording of our neuroplasticity episode from 2022 that didn't make the cut. We had so much fun recording this but when we went to edit, the levels were not good. updates to the platform, there is a fix now. LOL We explore the concept of neuroplasticity and its role in recovery and personal growth, infused with laughter and ice breakers! We had such a good time recording this, I hope you enjoy. I will be back on the mic when I can, right now I'm grieving my friend. So enjoy this gem. • Reflecting on the impact of Dr. Seles’s life  • Scholarships established in her name to promote health equity  • Understanding neuroplasticity and how the brain adapts  • Engaging in memory recall through an icebreaker  • Tips for incorporating playful activities to promote brain health  • The significance of consistency in practice during recovery  • How art and exercise can aid neuroplasticity  • The inspiring journeys shared by listeners and community members  We remind our Brain Friends to support the scholarships established to honor Dr. Seles and I encourage everyone to explore their websites for detailed information.   https://aphasia.org/stories/announcing-the-davetrina-seles-gadson-health-equity-grant-program/ https://www.cognitiverecoverylab.com/seles https://aphasiaadvocates.com/ for Brain Friends Merch https://aphasia.org/event/ask-the-expert-february-2026/ https://www.cognitiverecoverylab.com/seles https://aphasia.org/stories/announcing-the-davetrina-seles-gadson-health-equity-grant-program/ Our beloved colleague, Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, passed away January 11, 2025. Dr. Gadson was an extraordinary speech-language pathologist and neuroscience researcher who devoted her energy to studying health disparities in aphasia recovery. She was a fierce advocate for improving services for individuals with aphasia, particularly Black Americans. Her research transformed our understanding of these health disparities and shed light on how we can address them. We were privileged to have Dr. Gadson as a cherished member of our lab community for four years, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as an Instructor of Rehabilitation Medicine. She was still a close collaborator and friend to many of us at the time of her passing. Dr. Gadson was an incredible person—compassionate, inspiring, and full of life. Her dedication to advancing equity in aphasia recovery and her profound impact on our community will never be forgott...

Send us a text In this brief episode of Brain Friends, Angie shares the devastating news of the passing of her beloved  friend and co-host, Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, after a courageous battle with cancer. Dr. Seles, a brilliant and compassionate neuro nerd and speech-language pathologist, brought a unique blend of expertise and warmth to Brain Friends. Her insights and genuine concern for the aphasia community deeply resonated with listeners. Angie pays tribute to Dr. Seles's unwavering strength and grace throughout her illness. She reflects on the profound impact Dr. Seles had on her life and on the countless individuals whose lives were touched by her work. The episode also addresses the future of Brain Friends, honoring Dr. Seles's legacy by continuing to provide valuable information and support to the aphasia community.  We love, appreciate, and remember you, Dr. Seles. https://aphasiaadvocates.com/ for Brain Friends Merch https://aphasia.org/event/ask-the-expert-february-2026/ https://www.cognitiverecoverylab.com/seles https://aphasia.org/stories/announcing-the-davetrina-seles-gadson-health-equity-grant-program/ Our beloved colleague, Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, passed away January 11, 2025. Dr. Gadson was an extraordinary speech-language pathologist and neuroscience researcher who devoted her energy to studying health disparities in aphasia recovery. She was a fierce advocate for improving services for individuals with aphasia, particularly Black Americans. Her research transformed our understanding of these health disparities and shed light on how we can address them. We were privileged to have Dr. Gadson as a cherished member of our lab community for four years, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as an Instructor of Rehabilitation Medicine. She was still a close collaborator and friend to many of us at the time of her passing. Dr. Gadson was an incredible person—compassionate, inspiring, and full of life. Her dedication to advancing equity in aphasia recovery and her profound impact on our community will never be forgott...

Send us a text In this episode of Brain Friends, we delve into the complexities of cognitive function and its disorders.  Angie shares her personal journey with cognitive impairment following a stroke, highlighting the challenges of aphasia and adapting to a "new normal."  Dr. Seles provides insights into the differences of cognitive testing, explaining why certain tests are designed for specific populations and the importance of normalized testing. What you'll learn: How strokes, TBIs, and dementia affect the brain differentlyLearn about the key indicators and testing differences that help diagnose cognitive impairments. Tune in to gain valuable knowledge for individuals facing cognitive challenges. Support your show. Get the Limited edition 2 Neuro Nerds Shirts https://aphasiaadvocates.com/ for Brain Friends Merch https://aphasia.org/event/ask-the-expert-february-2026/ https://www.cognitiverecoverylab.com/seles https://aphasia.org/stories/announcing-the-davetrina-seles-gadson-health-equity-grant-program/ Our beloved colleague, Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, passed away January 11, 2025. Dr. Gadson was an extraordinary speech-language pathologist and neuroscience researcher who devoted her energy to studying health disparities in aphasia recovery. She was a fierce advocate for improving services for individuals with aphasia, particularly Black Americans. Her research transformed our understanding of these health disparities and shed light on how we can address them. We were privileged to have Dr. Gadson as a cherished member of our lab community for four years, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as an Instructor of Rehabilitation Medicine. She was still a close collaborator and friend to many of us at the time of her passing. Dr. Gadson was an incredible person—compassionate, inspiring, and full of life. Her dedication to advancing equity in aphasia recovery and her profound impact on our community will never be forgott...

Send us a text In this episode of Brain Friends, we discuss language assessments used in individuals with aphasia and acquired communication disorders.    Angie shares the benefits and challenges in completing language assessments and which type of assessment is beneficial to recovery.    Dr. Seles discusses the difference between impairment-based tests like the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) and participation-based tests like the Communication Activities of Daily Living (CADL).    Together we discuss the importance of quality-of-life assessments and how aphasia impacts cognition. Finally, Dr. Seles shares 3 tips for Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) to help survivors navigate low social support and quality of life. https://aphasiaadvocates.com/ for Brain Friends Merch https://aphasia.org/event/ask-the-expert-february-2026/ https://www.cognitiverecoverylab.com/seles https://aphasia.org/stories/announcing-the-davetrina-seles-gadson-health-equity-grant-program/ Our beloved colleague, Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, passed away January 11, 2025. Dr. Gadson was an extraordinary speech-language pathologist and neuroscience researcher who devoted her energy to studying health disparities in aphasia recovery. She was a fierce advocate for improving services for individuals with aphasia, particularly Black Americans. Her research transformed our understanding of these health disparities and shed light on how we can address them. We were privileged to have Dr. Gadson as a cherished member of our lab community for four years, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as an Instructor of Rehabilitation Medicine. She was still a close collaborator and friend to many of us at the time of her passing. Dr. Gadson was an incredible person—compassionate, inspiring, and full of life. Her dedication to advancing equity in aphasia recovery and her profound impact on our community will never be forgott...

Send us a text In this episode of Brain Friends, we share a behind-the-scenes conversation between Angie and Dr. Seles on Anomia. Together we weigh the benefits of recognizing the different types of Anomia and the challenges with diagnosis.  Anomia is a fluent aphasia characterized by word-finding difficulty or the inability to name objects.  Should we classify Anomia differently? What can Speech-Language Pathologists and researchers do to better help survivors with Anomia? https://aphasiaadvocates.com/ for Brain Friends Merch https://aphasia.org/event/ask-the-expert-february-2026/ https://www.cognitiverecoverylab.com/seles https://aphasia.org/stories/announcing-the-davetrina-seles-gadson-health-equity-grant-program/ Our beloved colleague, Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, passed away January 11, 2025. Dr. Gadson was an extraordinary speech-language pathologist and neuroscience researcher who devoted her energy to studying health disparities in aphasia recovery. She was a fierce advocate for improving services for individuals with aphasia, particularly Black Americans. Her research transformed our understanding of these health disparities and shed light on how we can address them. We were privileged to have Dr. Gadson as a cherished member of our lab community for four years, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as an Instructor of Rehabilitation Medicine. She was still a close collaborator and friend to many of us at the time of her passing. Dr. Gadson was an incredible person—compassionate, inspiring, and full of life. Her dedication to advancing equity in aphasia recovery and her profound impact on our community will never be forgott...

Send us a text In this episode of Brain Friends, we discuss 5 ways everyone can contribute to health equity for Black people with aphasia. We give resources for caregivers to get compensated and encourage speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to support health literacy in clients. 1. Implicit Bias Training- to help practitioners recognize stereotypical beliefs that contribute to health inequities. 2. Workforce Diversity- may help clients with communication and participation in research by having practitioners who look like them. 3. Representation in Research- helps ensure generalization of findings and that all voices are included. http://www.aphasiaresource.org/ Also, how are researchers sharing clinical findings? How many researchers have collected data from participants, published the findings, and gone back to the participants to share their study results? 4. Health Literacy- helps individuals understand medical information to make an informed decision. It is important to encourage care partners and provide disability resources that compensate the caregiver  https://www.usa.gov/disability-caregiver 5. Patient Reported Outcomes- helps give people with aphasia a voice in therapy by sharing goals that are important to the individual. Patient-reported outcomes can be challenging to read and should be diversified with large print, pictures, audio versions, or available on assistive devices.  https://aphasiaadvocates.com/ for Brain Friends Merch https://aphasia.org/event/ask-the-expert-february-2026/ https://www.cognitiverecoverylab.com/seles https://aphasia.org/stories/announcing-the-davetrina-seles-gadson-health-equity-grant-program/ Our beloved colleague, Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, passed away January 11, 2025. Dr. Gadson was an extraordinary speech-language pathologist and neuroscience researcher who devoted her energy to studying health disparities in aphasia recovery. She was a fierce advocate for improving services for individuals with aphasia, particularly Black Americans. Her research transformed our understanding of these health disparities and shed light on how we can address them. We were privileged to have Dr. Gadson as a cherished member of our lab community for four years, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as an Instructor of Rehabilitation Medicine. She was still a close collaborator and friend to many of us at the time of her passing. Dr. Gadson was an incredible person—compassionate, inspiring, and full of life. Her dedication to advancing equity in aphasia recovery and her profound impact on our community will never be forgott...

Send us a text In this episode of Brain Friends, we invite two stakeholders to celebrate Aphasia Awareness Month, Maura Silverman, the executive director of the National Aphasia Association (NAA), and Gee Jackson, a lawyer and stroke survivor with aphasia. Together we answer two important questions: 1. What do you know about aphasia now that you wish you would have known on day 1? 2. How can we bring awareness to aphasia? Listen, laugh, and learn how you can spread awareness about aphasia. Links: National Aphasia Association-  https://aphasia.org/ Aphasia Resource Collaboration Hub (ARCH)-  https://aphasiaresource.org/   https://aphasiaadvocates.com/ for Brain Friends Merch https://aphasia.org/event/ask-the-expert-february-2026/ https://www.cognitiverecoverylab.com/seles https://aphasia.org/stories/announcing-the-davetrina-seles-gadson-health-equity-grant-program/ Our beloved colleague, Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, passed away January 11, 2025. Dr. Gadson was an extraordinary speech-language pathologist and neuroscience researcher who devoted her energy to studying health disparities in aphasia recovery. She was a fierce advocate for improving services for individuals with aphasia, particularly Black Americans. Her research transformed our understanding of these health disparities and shed light on how we can address them. We were privileged to have Dr. Gadson as a cherished member of our lab community for four years, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as an Instructor of Rehabilitation Medicine. She was still a close collaborator and friend to many of us at the time of her passing. Dr. Gadson was an incredible person—compassionate, inspiring, and full of life. Her dedication to advancing equity in aphasia recovery and her profound impact on our community will never be forgott...

Send us a text Does it take a village to recover from a stroke? In this episode of Brain Friends, we talk about aphasia support with Angie's care partner Kiehl Cauthorn.  We discuss the difference between caregivers and care partners, the stages of care in post-stroke aphasia, and advocacy with insurance companies. We give tips to speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and other practitioners on how to include the caregiver/care partner in therapy.  Finally, we remind aphasia survivors that "you are better today than you were yesterday and you will be better tomorrow than you are today".  We encourage caregivers and care partners to "stop, listen, be patient, and trust".  https://aphasiaadvocates.com/ for Brain Friends Merch https://aphasia.org/event/ask-the-expert-february-2026/ https://www.cognitiverecoverylab.com/seles https://aphasia.org/stories/announcing-the-davetrina-seles-gadson-health-equity-grant-program/ Our beloved colleague, Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, passed away January 11, 2025. Dr. Gadson was an extraordinary speech-language pathologist and neuroscience researcher who devoted her energy to studying health disparities in aphasia recovery. She was a fierce advocate for improving services for individuals with aphasia, particularly Black Americans. Her research transformed our understanding of these health disparities and shed light on how we can address them. We were privileged to have Dr. Gadson as a cherished member of our lab community for four years, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as an Instructor of Rehabilitation Medicine. She was still a close collaborator and friend to many of us at the time of her passing. Dr. Gadson was an incredible person—compassionate, inspiring, and full of life. Her dedication to advancing equity in aphasia recovery and her profound impact on our community will never be forgott...

Send us a text In this episode of Brain Friends, we explore primary progressive aphasia or PPA.   Dr. Seles unravels the complexities of PPA versus other aphasia types and describes the difference between a stroke and frontal temporal dementia. Angie shares analogies highlighting the key differences from other forms of aphasia. The impact of PPA on individuals, their families, and communities is ongoing.  This episode of Brain Friends is a must-listen for survivors,  students, and health professionals.  https://aphasiaadvocates.com/ for Brain Friends Merch https://aphasia.org/event/ask-the-expert-february-2026/ https://www.cognitiverecoverylab.com/seles https://aphasia.org/stories/announcing-the-davetrina-seles-gadson-health-equity-grant-program/ Our beloved colleague, Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, passed away January 11, 2025. Dr. Gadson was an extraordinary speech-language pathologist and neuroscience researcher who devoted her energy to studying health disparities in aphasia recovery. She was a fierce advocate for improving services for individuals with aphasia, particularly Black Americans. Her research transformed our understanding of these health disparities and shed light on how we can address them. We were privileged to have Dr. Gadson as a cherished member of our lab community for four years, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as an Instructor of Rehabilitation Medicine. She was still a close collaborator and friend to many of us at the time of her passing. Dr. Gadson was an incredible person—compassionate, inspiring, and full of life. Her dedication to advancing equity in aphasia recovery and her profound impact on our community will never be forgott...

Send us a text In this episode of Brain Friends, we discuss reading and writing difficulties that can co-occur with aphasia. "Alexia" is an acquired reading disorder with difficulty seeing and reading words or understanding the meaning of written words. "Agraphia" is the loss of a previous ability to write.  Angie discovers new terms related to her aphasia and the connection in the brain.  Dr. Seles shares clinical stories on navigating alexia in therapy and the role speech-language pathologists play in helping survivors reintegrate into the community. https://aphasiaadvocates.com/ for Brain Friends Merch https://aphasia.org/event/ask-the-expert-february-2026/ https://www.cognitiverecoverylab.com/seles https://aphasia.org/stories/announcing-the-davetrina-seles-gadson-health-equity-grant-program/ Our beloved colleague, Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, passed away January 11, 2025. Dr. Gadson was an extraordinary speech-language pathologist and neuroscience researcher who devoted her energy to studying health disparities in aphasia recovery. She was a fierce advocate for improving services for individuals with aphasia, particularly Black Americans. Her research transformed our understanding of these health disparities and shed light on how we can address them. We were privileged to have Dr. Gadson as a cherished member of our lab community for four years, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as an Instructor of Rehabilitation Medicine. She was still a close collaborator and friend to many of us at the time of her passing. Dr. Gadson was an incredible person—compassionate, inspiring, and full of life. Her dedication to advancing equity in aphasia recovery and her profound impact on our community will never be forgott...