No words to thank- Speech pathologists Sarah Jukes and Linda Mariniello talk to Joan, Elizabet

By Bridget Brady
WATCHING clients grow in confidence is the most rewarding aspect of being a speech pathologist, says Sarah Jukes.
The Cardinia Casey Conversation Group in Cranbourne caters for a group of about 10 people who are experiencing language difficulties after suffering a stroke.
Mrs Jukes, one of the speech pathologists working with the group, said her work was important because being able to communicate effectively was a basic human right. “For these people it can be extremely frustrating if they can’t say what they want to say,” she said.
“It’s really important that they feel confident to be able to mix with other people in the community.”
This week is Speech Pathology Week and Mrs Jukes said the Cardinia Casey Conversation Group used a range of techniques to improve people’s communication, which could include speech, reading, writing and swallowing.
“It’s encouraging to see their progress,” she said. “Some people come in and they lack confidence and it’s amazing to see how much that improves and how much more they have to say.”
Mrs Jukes said the severity of clients’ communication difficulties varied from person to person.
She said most of the people in the group were from Cranbourne and Berwick.
The group runs at the Community Rehab Centre at the Cranbourne Integrated Care Centre, part of Southern Health.