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For 77-year-old Judy Hilton, life changed dramatically after two strokes left her with severe aphasia — a language disorder that makes speaking, understanding speech, reading and writing difficult.

“After her stroke, Judy said she felt like she had to start all over again,” says Randa Tomczak, Hilton’s speech-language pathologist (SLP) and one of the Academic Coordinators of Clinical Education in the Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine.

But through it all, one lifeline made a difference for Hilton: the Corbett Aphasia Rehabilitation and Education (CARE) program, a speech-language therapy initiative run through the Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Corbett Clinic.

“CARE provides an opportunity to practice using the skills learned in rehabilitation and continue making improvements,” says Tomczak. “But, most importantly, it gives people with aphasia a connection to others who understand their challenges.” 

The program, launched in 2021 and led by registered SLPs and SLP students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD), helps participants across Alberta and Saskatchewan improve communication and re-engage in daily life. It’s based on the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (LPAA), which focuses on helping people with aphasia re-engage to increase their confidence and ultimately their quality of life  — not just simply improving communication.

“LPAA is about supporting individuals in doing what matters most to them,” says Andrea Ruelling, associate chair in CSD and co-founder of the CARE program.

The road to recovery

Hilton’s first stroke occurred in 2007 — a left-brain hemorrhage that left her with Broca’s aphasia (characterized by difficulty producing language, resulting in effortful, halting sentences and lost words) and apraxia of speech (characterized by difficulty planning and sequencing the movements needed to produce speech sounds, resulting in inconsistent and incorrect pronunciation). She was hospitalized for more than two months, followed by extensive outpatient rehabilitation. 

As a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, former nurse and retired professional clown affectionately known as “Sunbeam,” this event changed the course of her life. But Hilton was committed to recovery — and everything that came next.

“CARE offers support at every stage,” says Ruelling. “We work with people early on when they’re focused on rebuilding specific speech and language skills, and we continue to support them later as they maintain and build on those gains.”

After her outpatient therapy ended, Hilton was determined to keep moving forward. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of her local Saskatoon aphasia group, Hilton seamlessly transitioned into the Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s virtual CARE program, which offers a variety of groups based on specific interests and goals. Hilton discovered CARE through the Alberta Aphasia Camp — an annual retreat where people with aphasia can connect, learn and grow. It was at this camp that Hilton and her husband Glenn began to build relationships with the Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s rehabilitation team. She has been attending CARE groups for many years.

“We have a cooking and baking group that builds kitchen skills and communication, a TED Talk group where members discuss and create presentations, and a women’s group focused on health and stroke recovery,” says Ruelling. “Each group supports communication while also addressing the broader factors that impact daily participation.”

Hilton tried several of the online offerings — book clubs, current events groups and a specialized Toastmasters group. It was the Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s CARE for Women group that became her favourite. 

Hilton continued to attend an aphasia group in Saskatoon run through a private practice, but when that ended, the SLP running it approached CARE to see if they would be interested in starting an in-person CARE group in Saskatoon, and CARE Coffee & Chat in Saskatoon was born. Hilton was one of the first people to join. 

A second stroke, a new beginning

In June 2024, tragedy struck again. Hilton suffered a second stroke, this time on the right side of her brain — the part that had likely taken over many of her language functions after the first stroke. The damage was severe: her speech volume dropped, she lost more of her ability to express herself, her understanding became more limited and she lost much of the motivation that had once been her hallmark.

Despite the loss, Hilton did not give up. Supported by her spouse Glenn, private therapy, rehabilitation and the CARE program, she began — once again — the long road to recovery.

In the winter 2025 Saskatoon CARE Coffee & Chat group, Hitlon’s active participation increased significantly. She began responding independently, sometimes speaking spontaneously — something that had seemed impossible just months before. By spring 2025, Hilton no longer required prompting to engage. She used an iPad whiteboard to write responses, gestured, pointed to pictures and spoke when she could.

Most importantly, she started smiling again. She also returned to one of her favorite hobbies: crafting with her Cricut machine. Her husband Glenn noted that her creativity — and her spark — was coming back.

When asked what keeps her coming back to CARE, Hilton said, "It's very nice...I don't know" and pointed at her mouth. Her student clinician answered, "I can tell you have more that you want to say, but it's just hard to get it out," to which Hilton nodded emphatically, appearing relieved. 

Glenn elaborated, with Hilton's confirmation, that "so many people aren't prepared to wait, but people who have aphasia know what it's like, and they're willing to slow down." The student clinicians support Hilton, at her pace, to speak and understand.

The CARE program

The CARE program, both in-person and virtual, became a structured, safe space where Hilton could rebuild her confidence — and her voice. 

Each CARE group is tailored with specific targets in mind: increasing participation, improving communication confidence and building independence with “total communication” methods — gesturing, writing, speaking, pointing, and using technology  — and to specific interests or activities.

“Aphasia can often lead to social withdrawal and feelings of isolation,” says Tomczak. “These groups allow people with aphasia to connect with people going through the same thing, engage in meaningful activities and maintain and grow communication skills.”

Hilton’s story is a testament to what’s possible when innovative programs and skilled clinicians foster a deep sense of community. 

For Hilton, every word spoken, every smile returned, every crafted card is a step forward. And thanks to CARE, those steps keep coming.

For more information about the CARE Program and how to support or join, visit .