May - September Photo Gallery / Horsing Around 8/2006

Marla's OT works with her on eye hand coordination by playing "hall tennis" with a balloon, improving Marla's reflexes with her right arm.

Marla gets a hug from Lisa, a RAP staffer specializing in recreational therapy.

Marla has been participating in equine therapy at Sopris Therapy near Carbondale. It helps her with her balance and coordination, and is a lot of fun to top it off!

Marla and a RAP friend with Marie, a RAP therapist.

Marla made tons of progress with Katherine, her OT at the University of Michigan. Katherine told Marla that she was one the most amazing patients with whom she had ever worked.

Friends Gordy and Amy who taught with Marla at Glacier Peak, came to visit for the weekend with their son.

Marla had the chance to meet people from around the country and even the world, all who came to RAP due to its reputation as one of the best aphasia therapy programs in the world.

Joy is the therapist who lead Marla's group therapy classes.

Out for a weekend visit, Mark accompanied the RAP crew on an outing to a Detroit Tigers baseball game.

One of Marla's fellow RAP patients is in a jazz band, who visited to play for the group!

Art therapy sessions were amongst Marla's five hours of daily therapy at RAP.

All set to watch the Tigers in action!

May - September Photo Gallery 6/2006

A stroll about the beautiful University of Michigan campus on a summer day.

Melodie, another of Marla's therapists, explains the particulars of one of the speech programs to her.

Always quick to make friends, Marla is all smiles with her new friends at RAP.

During group therapy, Marla and her fellow patients have the chance to work on their speech in a fun atmosphere, working on using full sentences and correct grammar while playing a board game.

Having fun with Hannah, daughter of Marla's cousin Brad, on her birthday.

Marla had a second birthday party at home in Colorado - what a deal! She's having some cake with her friend Sabrina.

Mark and Marla share a snooze on the bus ride back to Ann Arbor from the game.

One of Marla's closest friends from RAP came to Michigan from Australia!

Marla keeps the bedroom of her Michigan apartment quite tidy! One thing is missing though - Puck to snuggle with!

Marla shares a smile with Lynn, who taught her music therapy classes, during an evening dinner out with staff and patients.

Gordon, one of Marla's therapists, and a director at RAP, is a very experienced and skilled therapist. A true wizard of speech therapy!

An outing to an Ann Arbor farmer's market on the weekend with Candis and her husband Helmut. Candace, who lives in Ann Arbor, is the niece of Marla's godmother Marge. Candace welcomed Marla to her home for several visits, and Marla got some kitty time with Candace's three cats!

Staff and patients celebrate at the close of the program with dinner together as a group! Everyone has achieved some great milestones to recognize.

Marla's fellow patients and therapists are all smiles as the six week session of the University of Michigan Residential Aphasia Program (RAP) kicks off!

Smiles with Mark, one of Marla's speech therapists in Michigan.

Each day includes computer labs, using a variety of interactive programs that help enhance word recognition, syntax, reading, and writing.

Marla prepares a drink in the kitchenette of the apartment suite in which she lived during her time in Ann Arbor.

May - September Photo Gallery / Ballpark 6/2006

Marla celebrated her birthday while in Michigan. Looks as if her friend is a bit hesitant to take the bite of cake Marla's offering her!

Marla grins in her goofy clown hat before blowing out her candles! Make a wish!

Marla made some amazing strides in her occupational therapy at the University of Michigan academic hospital. Here, she's using a specially adapted knife allowing her to cut with her right hand and arm.