From Stroke to Solution: How Ryan & Anna Teal Created Aphasia Readers

Ryan Teal's life took an unexpected turn at the age of 34 when he suffered a massive ischemic stroke caused by a rare condition called Eagle syndrome. That fateful night, Anna, his wife, found him on the floor, unable to speak or move his right side. This marked the beginning of their challenging journey with stroke recovery and aphasia.

Aphasia, a language disorder affecting about one-third of stroke survivors, became a central part of Ryan's recovery. As they navigated the complexities of rehabilitation, Anna and Ryan faced a common struggle: the lack of appropriate resources for adults with aphasia. While children's books were recommended for practice, Ryan found them demotivating and irrelevant to his daily life.

Driven by their experience and the desire to help others, Anna and Ryan embarked on a mission to create a solution. They conceptualized Aphasia Readers, a series of books designed specifically for adults with aphasia. These readers would offer functional, age-appropriate content to aid in recovery and boost confidence.

The couple's journey led them to the University of Michigan's intensive aphasia therapy program, where they shared their idea with the staff. Although the program couldn't create the resources themselves, they offered guidance and support for Anna and Ryan's project.

With determination and the backing of the aphasia community, Anna and Ryan developed Aphasia Readers. They created three levels of books (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced), each tailored to different stages of recovery. The first level focuses on simple, one-syllable words and functional phrases for everyday use. The books are thoughtfully designed with spiral binding for easy handling for those who have a weaker side, icons above each word that aid in word retrieval, and calming colors. The books are written as a dialogue, so they can be practiced alone or with a loved one or friend. All Aphasia Readers books are priced at $34.99/each and available on aphasiareaders.com and Amazon. Because giving back to the aphasia community is so important to them, a portion of the proceeds from each book sold goes to create aphasia awareness. In addition to their books, they also have a ton of free resources on their website. A popular one being Fridge Functional Phrases Printable Practice Sheets. The goal is to equip those with aphasia with functional phrases they can practice and use to reduce loneliness and build confidence in common social situations. All pages are printer friendly and can be posted on your fridge, so you remember to practice for an upcoming holiday, birthday party or various other social events.

Aphasia Readers represents more than just a set of books; it's a testament to Ryan and Anna's resilience and their commitment to improving the lives of others affected by aphasia. By filling a crucial gap in aphasia resources, they've provided a valuable tool for practice and confidence-building outside of formal speech therapy sessions.

Ryan's story is one of triumph over adversity. Despite the challenges of stroke and aphasia, he and Anna have turned their experience into an opportunity to make a positive impact on the aphasia community. Their work with Aphasia Readers not only aids in Ryan's ongoing recovery but also offers hope and practical support to countless others on similar journeys.

Ryan and Anna’s story, Aphasia Readers, Ryan & Anna Teal, on Stroke Buddies YouTube channel (please subscribe, we have over 400 stroke-related videos):

https://youtu.be/TSQPnKkwjNU

More on Ryan and Anna and Aphasia Readers

To Shop: Shop - Aphasia Readers

Bundles: Aphasia Readers Book Bundles - Aphasia Readers

Free Fridge Functional Phrases: Functional Phrases Practice Sheets - Free Downloadables

Caregiver Resources: Caregiver's Corner - Aphasia Readers

Aphasia Toolbox: Aphasia Resource Toolbox

Social Channels:

Instagram: Aphasia Readers (@aphasiareaders) • Instagram photos and videos

Facebook: (4) Facebook

LinkedIn:(3) Aphasia Readers, LLC: Company Page Admin | LinkedIn