Preserving a Voice and Dignity, Changing the Future

By Hannah Taylor, Director of Rehabilitation, The Foothills Transitional Care & Rehab, Marysville, TN

Marissa Letson is the lead SLP at Foothills who has embraced all of CAPLICO. She is working on her Master Clinician in Abilities Care Approach, is mentoring a CFY, and is improving LTC dignity through the implementation of the Abilities Care Approach (ACA), Breather, and Oral Care programs. Through all of this, she still finds the time to go above and beyond for her patients.

While so much around us and in the world is evolving and moving forward, Foothills resident Peggy remains in a place where her health is deteriorating. She is facing a future that carries a burden of anxiety and fear of being trapped in her own body. Peggy is 61 years young and has Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 6, a rare autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder that causes slowly progressive adult-onset movement issues, including dysarthria and dysphagia. There is no cure.

Marissa has been working with Peggy to manage symptoms over the past few years. However, with her speech now significantly changing and causing communication difficulties with everyday needs, she knew something more needed to be done.

While volunteering at an Ensign-affiliated Flagship booth during a TAASLP convention, Marissa connected with Tobii Dynavox, a company that specializes in communication solutions for individuals with disabilities. Through advocating for Peggy and explaining her prognosis, Marissa was able to secure a long-term loaner Augmentative and Alternative Communication device (ACC).

A glimmer of light shines in Peggy’s eyes now, as Marissa and the therapy team have worked together to train her and staff on the device to not only maximize her communication now, but to allow her to preserve her voice and dignity for her future.

Through a smile, Peggy gently expresses her gratitude:

“This device allows me to have a conversation with someone and make phone calls to my family; because of my disease, it won’t be long before I lose my voice. This will become my only way to communicate. My intelligence is not affected, and often I feel trapped. This gives me a way to not feel so trapped in my own body. I can’t thank Marissa enough for all she’s done for me!”

As a special side note: This case is now assisting Tobii Dynavox to further advocate to our governing authorities for ACC insurance coverage for all residents in Skilled Nursing Facilities.