The ASHA Leader - August 11, 2009 - (Page 57)

A Deluge of Human Kindness by Kellie Rowden-Racette W hen Cheryl Gerard interviewed for her job as a professor in the Department of Communication Disorders at Minot State University in 1991, she had some reservations. Originally from Wyoming and having lived in the mountains all her life, she found the flatness of the Dakota prairies to be unnerving. “This flat prairie did me in at first. When I’d see clouds low on the horizon, I’d pretend they were mountains,” she recalled. “We joke that it’s so flat you can watch your dog run away for three days.” But the communications disorders program was excellent and she thought it would be worth living in North Dakota, prairies and all, just to be part of something that good. And then there was the Souris River—a slow, winding, lazy river named for being as crooked as a mouse’s tail—that wound through the area. When the opportunity arose in 2003 to buy riverfront property with a barn and pastures for her two horses, she jumped at the chance. Even though the Souris wasn’t much of a river, a pasture full of oak trees next to moving water sounded appealing. But the harsh weather of North Dakota holds many challenges, and although Gerard had grown accus- tomed to long winters, the 2008–2009 winter proved to be particularly formidable. With five feet of snow and steady temperatures well below zero for months, one might assume that residents would welcome the spring thaws with open arms. But consider what happens when that much ice and snow melts rapidly during an unseasonable heat wave in late March—floods. Communities such as Fargo along the Red River evacuated hundreds of residents Cheryl Gerard (right) and speech-language pathology student Kyle Mutch take a break from sandbagging Gerard’s riverfront property in North Dakota. and suffered tens of millions of dollars in property damage. News footage showed submerged houses and families losing save her house and barn, she e-mailed her department everything. Farther west communities such as Minot colleagues: “All help appreciated!” and Burlington along the rising waters of the Souris What happened next redefined Gerard’s definition worried about a similar scenario. In early April, of community spirit. Not only did her colleagues come county officials offered sandbags to residents whose to her aid, but one of them forwarded her message to houses were in danger should the Souris River crest. the undergraduate and graduate students in the departBut there was one caveat—residents had to pick up ment. On April 8, Gerard was shocked when more the 50-pound bags and put them in place themselves. That’s where Gerard was stuck. With limited equipSee Flood page 58 ment and the realization that she must do something to EARN Evaluate Swallowing Disorders in Infants, Children, and Adults ASHA CEUs with these two essential programs from ASHA Evaluation of Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Joan C. Arvedson, PhD, CCC-SLP The comprehensive evaluation of infants and children with swallowing and feeding problems, and the importance of knowledge regarding underlying etiologies and status of nutrition and hydration cannot be overstated. This program covers infants including neonates and children up to age 10. You will be able to— • identify factors in global development for making decisions about oral feeding skills • classify levels of airway obstruction and physiologic components • determine when an instrumental examination of swallowing is needed • analyze patient case studies and choose an appropriate evaluation process Tracheostomy Tubes in Adults: Management of Communication and Swallowing Impairments Carmin Bartow, MS, CCC-SLP This program examines the impact of the loss of upper airway usage following tracheotomy and focuses on treatment techniques to restore airﬂow through the upper airway. Current research supporting intervention with adults with tracheostomy tubes, as well as a thorough description of communication options for this population, is reviewed. You will be able to— • describe changes in speech, swallowing, and respiration physiology • determine appropriate swallowing evaluation and treatment techniques • apply current research regarding restoration of sub-glottic pressure to daily intervention Tracheostomy Tubes in Adults Management of Communication and Swallowing Impairments Carmin Bartow, MS, CCC-SLP Evaluation of Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Joan C. Arvedson, PhD, CCC-SLP, BC-NCD, BRS-S Intermediate Level 2-hour DVD and manual 0.2 ASHA CEUs (2009–11/8/2011) Item #0112995 $115 ASHA member $139 nonmember Intermediate Level 2-hour DVD and manual 0.2 ASHA CEUs (2007-7/28/2010) Item #0112958 $115 ASHA member $139 nonmember Order today! • www.asha.org/shop • 888-498-6699 Save when you purchase one multimedia kit and additional manuals for colleagues. August 11, 2009 http://www.asha.org/shop http://www.asha.org/shop

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The ASHA Leader - August 11, 2009

The ASHA Leader - August 11, 2009
Contents
Four Members Elected to Board of Directors
Readers Respond
Audiology
Congress Begins Health Care Reform Debate
Medicare Private Practice Poses Concerns for Some SLPs
Custom Fit Your Marketing
Personal Music Players
From the President
Convention Preview
2010 Dues Change
Ethics in Private Practice
Missouri SLPs Win on School Retirement Issue
Classifieds
A Deluge of Human Kindness
First Person on the Last Page

The ASHA Leader - August 11, 2009