Association québécoise des personnes aphasiques www.aphasie.ca 514-277-5678

More than 22 photography enthusiasts participated in a six week workshop led by Mylène Dion. Thanks to good weath-er, Mylène’s many talents and a host of volunteers, a good time was had by all. Creative inspiration was all around as participants strolled through the Botani-cal Gardens, Angrignon Park, Old Mon-treal and Mount Royal. Congratulations to all our apprentice photographers!

At the end of this issue, you will find our call for support. Please take a moment to read it through carefully. The quality of the services we offer depends not only on manpower, but on our financial re-sources as well. Any financial assistance we receive is put directly towards activi-ties. Two new projects are in the works: hiring a social worker, and preparing our 30th anniversary celebration.

Louise Bourbonnais, Executive Director

Sadly, some are moving on to new ad-ventures, while others are just joining our team. We are pleased to welcome them and are confident in their abilities to help the AQPA continue to grow and flourish.

Computers and art have been at the heart of our activities this summer. Our computer lab has been equipped with new computers and software. Sandrine Picard and Vanessa Vaccaro have helped more than thirty of our members through the maze of communications software and the internet.

Dear friends,Change is a part of life, and here at the AQPA we are no exception. In this issue, we present some of the people who have been instrumental in our success over the last year.

A successful summer !

Information Bulletin August 2011

AQPA-Express

Association québécoise des personnes aphasiques www.aphasie.ca 514-277-5678 2

Grant from Outremont’s deputy

We were granted $ 3,000 from the dis-cretionary fund of Outremont’s MNA and Minister of Finance, Mr. Raymond Bachand. With this money we were able

to purchase a large screen TV for our workshops. The goal is for image com-munication to become part of our daily routine at the AQPA.

Moving On…

Mylène Dion will be leaving the AQPA in September, to study Occupational Therapy at McGill University. With warmth and kind-ness, Mylène welcomed all new members and led a workshop fo-cusing on the news and cognitive games. She attended to volun-teers, and introduced many to the

delicate nuances of home visits and accompaniment for people with aphasia. The photography workshop during the summer was also her initiative. She leaves us with fond memories of her gener-ous nature, always happy to help others. We wish her a future full of happiness.

Sarah Limoges left after her internship in social service tech-nology, to travel to Nova Scotia to perfect her English. She received the CEGEP Marie-Victorin Meritas award for student involvement. She volunteered at the informa-tion center for the Rogers Cup in tennis at Uniprix Stadium. Since 2007, Sarah has been part of the first Powerchair football team in

Quebec. This is a sport similar to soccer, but exclusively for people with disabilities who use an elec-tric wheelchair. She was named team captain, as well as one of the two ambassadors from Que-bec at the Powerchair Football World Cup, to be held this fall in France. We offer our best wishes to Sarah in her studies at the Uni-versity of Montreal.

Association québécoise des personnes aphasiques www.aphasie.ca 514-277-5678 3

Moving on...

studies in Speech and Language Pathology at Laval University, while Vanessa will attend Concordia Uni-versity to prepare for the same orien-tation. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

Contact with people with aphasia is often an opportunity for young peo-ple to validate their career choices. Sandrine Picard and Vanessa Vaccaro animated the comput-er labs throughout the summer. In September, Sandrine begins her

...and newcomers

Anita Rouette was hired to replace Mylène Dion as the Coordinator of Vol-unteer and Member Services. Anita has a Master’s Degree in Education from Concordia University, and has experi-ence with community work, having been a coordinator for many years. She was integrated into our environment during the summer, attending activities, getting to know members, and generally learn-ing the ropes. Wendy Donston, a social work student from McGill University, will be joining our

ranks in September. She will be super-vised by Maureen Stafford, and her internship will run until April. Wendy will be present at the AQPA on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Darla Orchard is thankfully remaining with us to train students in Speech and Language Pathology from McGill Univer-sity. Speech Therapy interns from the Univer-sity of Montreal will be coming to work with us in early September. We look for-ward to this collaboration.

Wedding News

Our Administrative Coordina-tor, Audrée Bergeron, wed David Llorens on June 25th in Val David in the Laurentians. A little over a hundred people at-tended the nuptials.

After a two week honeymoon, Audrée returned fresh and ready to tackle a new year. The newly-weds would like to thank mem-bers for the wonderful gift and all of their good wishes.

Association québécoise des personnes aphasiques www.aphasie.ca 514-277-5678 4

Condolences

It is with deep sadness that we share the sudden passing of Jean-Paul Lebel, the warm and leading voice of our choir. Jean-Paul was awarded the Pat-rick Demers Prize for his volun-teer involvement in the choir. He attended all the concerts, generously offering his time and strength to help one and all. A thoughtful and generous man, Jean-Paul will be greatly missed.

Paul Léveillé, a founding member of the group in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, died on May 30th, surrounded by his loved ones. A member of the AQPA since 2008, he quickly found his place as an enthusiastic volunteer and stimu-lating participant in the conversa-tion groups. His absence will be painfully felt in DDO.

Our sincerest condolences to both families.

Membership

Once again it’s time to renew your mem-bership at the AQPA! At the low cost of only $ 20 per year, a membership grants you access to all regular activities as well as the annual general meeting, where

you can take part in making decisions. Please send your annual contribution by mail, or deliver it in person to Audrée Bergeron, who will be happy to see you!

Choir News

On Sunday, May 29th, the “Aphasia Choir” participated in a “Culture and Dis-ability” training session, organized by the Centre d’Étude Masque et Mouvement inc. and Mohamed Ghoul, in partnership with the Plateforme de la Jeune Création Franco-Allemanden (Lyon) and SWW

München. The AQPA was honoured to welcome several trainees and present our activities. A few days later, the “Apha-sia Choir” performed in public during the Salon Prendre sa Place at Complexe Desjardins.

Association québécoise des personnes aphasiques www.aphasie.ca 514-277-5678 5

Annual General Assembly

The AGM was preceded by two informa-tion sessions this year, one French and one in English. This allowed members to be well informed of the financial state-ments, budget and action plan at the time of voting.

Pierre Lefebvre, Micheline Des-Rosiers, Marc Labrosse, Robert Primeau and Jacques Robidoux were re-elected in their administrative roles.

From left to right:Robert Robidoux, Micheline DesRosiers, Pierre Lefebvre, Marc Labrosse, Gérard Bri-court, Martial Boisvert.

Front from left to right:Sandrine Picard, Au-drée Bergeron, Mylène Dion, Micheline DesRo-siers, Louise Bourbonnais, Darla Orchard, Danielle Déry, Jacques Primeau and Monique Sabourin.

Association québécoise des personnes aphasiques www.aphasie.ca 514-277-5678 6

The activity schedule for the month of Sep-tember can be found on page 8. See page 9 for the fall calendar or on our website under the ‘’calendar’’ tab. Workshops will begin September 7th for English groups, and September 12th for French groups.

New Activities Tuesday mornings: Musical comedies and implementation of the Small Choir.Come one, come all, to watch musical comedies every Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 11:30.

New singers are invited to join our “small choir” to learn the repertory already fa-miliar to our regular choir. This activity will last one hour, from 11:30 to 12:30.

Fall 2011 Scheduling

Make the most of this special time with Christine Cantin, our choir director. The regular choir will begin at 1:00pm.

Fridays: Movie days. Mornings, from 10:00 to 12:00, screenings of films in French. Af-ternoons, from 1:00 to 3:00, screenings of films in English.Have any movie sug-gestions? Let us know, we’d love to hear them.

Computer workshops Computer workshops will continue throughout the year. In September, ev-eryone will need to re-register according to available time slots that will be posted in the office and on our website.

Outside Artistic Activities

Individual art therapy sessions by Esther Thibeault, from September 2011 to April 2012. Information: 438-391-7789.

Percussion group, led by Martin Ruel. Information: 514-373-5577 or Daniel Lepage at doinell@videotron.ca. Aphasia Theatre: www.theatreaphasique.org

The Quebec Association of People with Aphasia is a non-profit organization. Its activities are mainly funded by the Community Organization Support Program. Most of its anima-tors are from institutions with which the AQPA has partnerships: the Center for Educa-tional Resources and Teaching (CREP), the Greater Montreal School Board, the Univer-sity Institute of Geriatrics of Montreal, the University of Montreal, and McGill University.

The generosity of our donors allows us to retain our human resources. We ask for your help today in the hopes of hiring a social worker. Many of our members are isolated, with no one to rely on in times of need. Others find it difficult to communicate with their rela-tives and fear the consequences of breaking ties.

A move, a change of address, legal problems, family or emotional breakdowns, looking for a job, preparing or changing a will, power of attorney, and obtaining medication are just some of the situations in which a person with aphasia needs assistance.

Therefore, the presence of a social worker is essential. This is why the fundraising cam-paign for this year is geared to collecting the salary needed to hire a social worker.

Help us make a difference.

A tax receipt will be issued shortly for donation of 15$ and more. N° d’enregistrement: 8297 10757 RR0001

Call for Support

Last Name:First Name:Address: City: Postal Code:Prov.: Phone:Courriel:I wish to receive via email: my tax receipt AQPA-Express

Online Donationwww.aphasie.ca/9/donation/en

I am making a donation of: : 25$ 50$ 100$ 200$Other:I am making my donation by: Cash Cheque (issued to :Association québécoise des personnes aphasiques) Credit card

Expiration date :Signature :