Stroke Recovery, Aphasia, and Brain Injury Rehabilitation | Episode 52 with Courtney Boyd

Episode Clarification: During the conversation, Courtney misspoke when defining acquired brain injury. An acquired brain injury (ABI) refers to any brain injury that occurs after birth and serves as an umbrella term for both traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries result from an external force (such as a fall or motor vehicle accident), while non-traumatic brain injuries are caused by internal factors (such as stroke, tumor, or aneurysm). This clarification is included to ensure accurate information is shared. In this episode of Sunday Afternoon Smokes, I sit down with Courtney Boyd, a speech-language pathologist and certified brain injury specialist with the Roger C. Peace Outpatient Brain Injury and Young Stroke Program. We talk about what speech-language pathology really is — far beyond pronunciation — and how communication involves language, cognition, voice, and swallowing. From there, we focus on stroke and brain injury, the communication changes that can happen suddenly, and what patients and families often misunderstand in those early stages. Courtney clearly defines aphasia — what it is, what it is not — and explains different types of aphasia, how it differs from related conditions like apraxia and dysarthria, and what progress in speech therapy realistically looks like when “back to normal” isn’t always the goal. This is a long-form, grounded conversation about communication, recovery, and learning how to live — and connect — when language becomes difficult. **Resources Mentioned in This Episode** If you or someone you love is navigating aphasia, stroke recovery, or brain injury, these organizations and programs offer education, support, and community: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) The national professional organization for speech-language pathologists, with extensive public education resources. 👉 asha.org National Aphasia Association A leading organization focused on education, advocacy, and support for people with aphasia and their families. 👉 aphasia.org (Note: I gave the incorrect web address during the episode — this is the correct site.) Triangle Aphasia Project (TAP) A nonprofit dedicated to life participation, conversation groups, and community for people with aphasia. 👉 aphasiaproject.org Articulate Aphasics Toastmasters A Toastmasters club designed specifically for people with aphasia to practice communication in a supportive environment. 👉 28677762.toastmastersclubs.org Upstate SC Aphasia Support Group Meets the first Wednesday of each month from 12:30–1:30 PM at the Prisma Health YMCA (875 Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605). For more information, contact Jennifer Leger at [email protected] USC Aphasia Lab A South Carolina–based research and outreach program supporting people with aphasia and their families. 👉 web.asph.sc.edu/aphasia They also produced the documentary “The Disease Detective Looks at Aphasia,” available on Amazon Prime. Young Stroke Support Group Meets the first and third Wednesday of every month from 5:30-6:30 at the Prisma Health Roger C. Peace Outpatient Brain Injury / Young Stroke building. (100 Augusta St., Greenville, SC 29601)