Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

For individuals like Jose V. who live with aphasia — a condition that can occur suddenly after a stroke and impacts a person’s ability to speak and communicate — there is no such thing as small talk.

Jose experienced a stroke that left him with many physical challenges, but losing his ability to speak and express himself hurt the most. Fortunately, he discovered our aphasia conversation groups offered at our Center for Aphasia Research & Treatment at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab — and he found healing through conversation, connection and communication practice.

In honor of National Aphasia Awareness Month this June, read Jose’s story to learn how he rebuilt his confidence and reclaimed his voice. bit.ly/43HYAAm

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is recruiting adults ages 18-75 for a research study on how the brain processes reward and learns from experience. We’re seeking healthy individuals and those with a history of neurological conditions, including traumatic brain injury. You will be compensated for your time and participation in this study.

Your participation will help advance neurological research. Learn more and see if you’re eligible to participate. Learn more and complete our survey: bit.ly/4fbSCiq

Huge congratulations to Cheri Blauwet, MD, our senior vice president and chief clinical officer, who was just named to the Forbes “Accessibility 200” list!

Dr. Blauwet is a world-renowned physiatrist, a longstanding champion of accessibility and an elite athlete. She is a seven-time Paralympic medalist with leadership roles on the International Olympic Committee, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, and the Boston Athletic Association (the organizers of the Boston Marathon). This is Dr. Blauwet’s second consecutive recognition by Forbes as a global leader in accessibility-related fields.

“Accessibility and universal design are reshaping how people live, work and engage with the world around them,” said Dr. Blauwet. “At Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, advancing human ability is at the center of everything we do. Through patient care, research, technology and innovation, we are helping unlock human potential in transformative ways. I’m honored to be part of this work and to be recognized by Forbes for the second consecutive year.”

Congrats, Dr. Blauwet! Read more on our blog: bit.ly/3PLlp2V

When a patient comes to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for stroke recovery, they participate in intensive therapy to recover abilities, increase independence and regain function. But, for patients like Danny H., his recovery didn’t stop there.

When Danny was ready to return to his career in office operations following his rehabilitation, he turned to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s vocational rehabilitation team, which offers comprehensive services designed to support patients in preparing for, finding and maintaining employment. His counselor helped him apply for disability benefits and coordinated with his employer on a phased, return-to-work plan. Over time, Danny built stamina and confidence and, today, has resumed a full-time schedule.

Thanks to donor support for our quality-of-life programs like vocational rehabilitation, our team continues to make an impact on patients like Danny.

Just last year, we connected 64 individuals to jobs suiting their ability levels and provided support services — such as one-on-one job counseling, return-to-work evaluations and assistance navigating workplace benefits and disability policies — to hundreds more.

Learn about vocational rehabilitation at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and how we help patients rediscover their purpose and pride at work: bit.ly/4umT9Th

Stem cell therapy has long been seen as a promising way to help the body repair itself and rejuvenate aged tissues. However, scientists have lacked an answer to a key question: What exactly makes these cells so powerful?

A first-of-its-kind study by research scientists Mitra Lavasani, PhD, and Seth Thompson, PhD, in Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Transitional Cell Therapy Lab suggests the answer may not be in the stem cells themselves, but in the secreted proteins they release. The new research, recently published in Aging Cell, explores the rejuvenating effects of these stem cell proteins — and opens the door to developing more targeted protein therapies for anti-aging effects.

Read our research spotlight to learn more: bit.ly/3QRXlLX