When Evie came to The Virginia Home, we didn’t know how to understand her. Because of a stroke at age thirty-six, she had lost much of her ability to hear, speak, write and communicate. Sometimes she would try again and again to tell us something, but the right word simply wouldn’t come.
At The Virginia Home, our staff began where every relationship begins: by paying attention. We watched Evie’s face. We learned her gestures and routines. We listened patiently. And with help from our professional Speech Therapy team, we began to understand.
Little by little, Evie began to tell us who she was. Soon, we discovered there was much more to Evie than the words she couldn’t say. We found that she is fun loving and a little bit glamorous! Lipstick comes before physical therapy. Earrings matter. So do fashion,
coffee, cats and David Bowie! Everyday moments the choices, celebrations and experiences that make life meaningful Because Care Is More Than Meeting A Need.
It’s Knowing The Person Behind It. And she still wants to do things for
herself. Staff learned that supporting Evie’s independence meant giving
her the time and space to make choices—and listening closely when she had something to say. “Earrings” “Makeup” “Wait, collar.” (that meant “I need my scarf.”)
As Kimberly Card, SLP, puts it, “While the words do not come easily, the look on Evie’s face and the gestures she makes clearly communicate her preferences and tastes—and lead to genuine connection. In spite of her global aphasia, her voice can still be heard.”
One year after arriving, Evie got on a plane and went to Disney World with staff and other residents. Our team had learned how to communicate with Evie—to understand what she needed, what made her comfortable, and what made her happy. That is what individualized care can make possible; helping our residents to not simply get through the day, but to experience life! She is being heard. Evie’s story captures what our mission means in action—taking the time to know each resident as an individual and creating
opportunities for them to be heard, understood and fully themselves.
