According to Foundation for the Callier Center and Communication Disorders Board Member Lisa Cooley,
A good or benevolent person, someone who has a helpful nature, describes a person that is kind. I can’t think of a better word to describe the people at the Callier Center for Communication Disorders.
As a trustee on the Callier foundation board, I have learned about the care that children and adults with speech, language and hearing disorders receive at Callier. I see the progress that patients make, the transformation that results, and the compassion with which Callier embraces each patient and his or her family. The clinicians at Callier perform acts of kindness daily.
Because of the pandemic, the Callier clinic closed for a couple of months, but they quickly transitioned to offering telehealth services and established the Callier Patient Emergency Fund to support families that have lost income or insurance. I am inspired by the stories I have heard and would like to share some encouraging sentiments from two families that have benefited from Callier’s telehealth services.
Three-year-old Benjamin Wallace receives speech-language therapy through telehealth from his speech-language pathologist Paige Burkink.
“We are so pleased to be able to continue our son’s therapy a couple times a week — picking up exactly where we left off,” said Megan Wallace, Benjamin’s mother. “We have been so impressed with all of the adaptations being made.”
Abigail Stupay receives hearing services through Callier’s telehealth program, and her mother, Vanessa Stupay, helps to facilitate.
“Because early intervention is crucial, we are doing up to three meetings a week with an audiologist, teacher of the deaf and an auditory specialist,” Vanessa said. “It’s been a learning curve for us all, but everyone is doing their part, so we can continue to move forward in helping our daughter communicate.”
Already, through gifts to the Callier Patient Emergency Fund, the community is helping Callier, so that they can continue to help patients.
On behalf of the Callier Center, I would like to thank The Meadows Foundation and North Texas Cares for their grants to support this fund. I would also like to thank the 82 donors who gave to the fund on North Texas Giving Tuesday. Because of your generosity, Callier continues to care for patients — especially those who have lost income or insurance coverage due to the pandemic. Thank you all for your kindness!
* Photo provided by Foundation for Callier Center for Communication Disorders
Beth Thoele says
Thank you, Lisa! Callier is an amazing place for “our” kids, adults and those in need.