Smiles with Char, UMAP attendee from Ohio, Susan, a UMAP speech language pathologist, and Kristen!

Gordon, at left, is a speech language pathologist and a therapist in the program. Looks like he's ready for the winter session of UMAP to begin!

Marla's excited to be back in Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan Aphasia Program (UMAP). She and her friend Kristen are twins in their school colors! Marla and Kristen, who lives in Australia, first met in May 2006 at a session of the Aphasia Program in Ann Arbor.

Hmmm, do you think Marla's collage focuses on a few of her favorite things?

Marla got to be good friends with Amanda, one of the staff members at the inn and suites where Marla stayed. Amanda was a great help in styling, curling, or braiding Marla's hair from time to time!

Of course, Marla's favorite ice sculpture has a feline theme - a cat pouncing on an un-suspecting bird enjoying its bath! Looks like the bird is quicker though.

One of the fun outings the group took was to a hockey game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Colorado Avalanche. Always a fun game with this big rivalry!

Marie, one of Marla's speech therapists at UMAP, was very supportive in helping Marla meet her goals.

Kristen shares a hug with Joanne, one of the UMAP therapists.

Louis, at left, is a retired teacher and a renowned jazz musician, and one of the UMAP program attendees. Louis and his band gave a concert one day during Marla's first UMAP session in May, 2006. Louis has made tremendous progress since the May 2006 UMAP session. Louis' wife Lulu is on the right. Very alliterative names!

The gas fireplace in the lobby of Marla's hotel/apartment suites is a good place to warm your back. During this winter's session, almost all of the UMAP attendees stayed at the same place as Marla, which made for some good extra-curricular cameraderie. Kristen's husband is at left, in town from Australia.

Marla's good friend Mark was an intern at UMAP during Marla's first session. In December, he graduated with his Master's in speech language pathology, and continues to assist with the UMAP program.

Marla concentrates on her drawing in Art Therapy class, which helps with sensory and motor integration, and is just plain fun!

One of Marla's fellow attendees is an entrepreneur who makes and sells his own brand of custom barbecue sauce!

A rousing game of Uno! helps pass the time. Watch out, Marla's an Uno master.

March Photo Gallery / Artwork 03/2007

One fun weekend outing involved a visit to an ice sculpture festival. Amazing work! Marla shivers every time she thinks of the damp Michigan cold. Her warm coat and boots helped tame the weather though!

Marla is blessed to have good friends, Candace and Helmut, who live in Ann Arbor. Marla's Godmother, Marge, is married to Candace's uncle. It is a special treat for Marla to get to visit them on weekends and get some kitty time with Candace's felines!

Marla and her friend Mark on the van headed out for another of the group's activities, a bowling night!

On the activity bus again, headed out for some fun! Marla's friend Juan is from New York City and is a US Army veteran.

The whole UMAP crew! Front Row: John, Louis, Marla, and Gertrude. Back Row: Jeff, Kristen, Ray, Christine, Audrey, Char, Stan, and Juan.

Lunchtime is always filled with conversation and fun. Part of the benefit of UMAP is the chance for Marla to interact and socialize with new people, constantly exercising her communication skills!