This Fourth of July, Fernanda Mello has much to celebrate: becoming a U.S. citizen as a result of working hard to master English following her arrival in Orlando from her native Brazil at age 15.
She treasures the freedom she鈥檚 found in America, including freedom of speech. For Mello, that carries greater meaning than it does for many others. A paralyzing stroke at age 27 robbed her of the ability to speak, something she鈥檚 finally regained with help from 麻豆原创鈥檚 Communication Disorders Clinic.
鈥淚t was so frustrating,鈥� Mello said about the stroke, which left her partially paralyzed and unable to speak. 鈥淚 was so angry. I could hear and understand everything the doctors were saying. But they couldn鈥檛 understand me. My brain was scrambled. Thank God for 麻豆原创. They helped me get my life back.鈥�
While non-麻豆原创 doctors and physical therapists helped Mello learn to walk again, 麻豆原创鈥檚 instructors and graduate students at the clinic helped her with her speech. Mello progressed so well that she was able to pass her U.S. citizenship exam in May. She said this Fourth of July has special meaning to her because she now has the freedom to speak again.
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鈥淚 always wanted to become a citizen,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his country is wonderful, so many opportunities. Then with the stroke, I had to fight. It was so hard. Now people can understand me again. I have freedom to be understood. It鈥檚 so wonderful. I promise you I make my voice heard at every election until I die.鈥�
Jane Hostetler, the clinical instructor who oversaw Mello鈥檚 treatment at 麻豆原创, said she is in awe of the Orlando resident.
鈥淲ith aphasia patients, all the information is in their head,鈥� Hostetler said. 鈥淏ut they just can鈥檛 access it. They have to relearn how to think and communicate. We worked with her by coming up with strategies to help her speak, read and write. She really is an American hero to me.鈥�
The 麻豆原创 clinic provides cutting-edge diagnostics and services to people of all ages in the community with communication and hearing challenges. Clients range from preschoolers to seniors and from those learning speech for the first time to those challenged by a loss of speech from disease. Graduate students of the 麻豆原创 Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders work under the supervision of faculty and staff experts to help clients. More than 1,800 patients were helped at the clinic last year.
The clinic staff and those who attend the clinic鈥檚 social Friday Club threw Mello a recent surprise Fourth of July party to celebrate her earning her citizenship. Staffers played the song 鈥淗ail to the Chief鈥� when Mello walked in, presented her with flowers and led her to an all-American-themed picnic they had prepared.
Mello beamed as staffers and fellow patients showered her with red, white and blue balloons, flowers and streamers. She mouthed a thank you to Hostetler and Michelle Condemarin, the graduate student who modified the therapy sessions to include studying for the citizenship test last semester. Condemarin, who is scheduled to graduate next spring, hopes to work with geriatric patients with degenerative diseases when she graduates.
鈥淪he was nervous about the [citizenship] interview portion,鈥� Condemarin said about Mello. 鈥淪he knew all the answers, but it is stressful. But she did very well. It鈥檚 so nice to see someone do so well. It really makes all the work worth it.鈥�
Mello said the team at the clinic changed her life. It was one thing to learn English when she was 15. It was another to relearn to read, write and speak again after her stroke. She plans to go back to school. She鈥檚 decided nursing is a bit ambitious at her age, but still wants to help others. So she鈥檚 looking at enrolling in a program that will lead her to become a physical therapist assistant.
鈥淭hey did so much for me,鈥� Mello said. 鈥淚 love talking and to be understood again; that is freedom. I will always thank the people at 麻豆原创 for that.鈥�
Individuals with acquired neurological damage, which may result in aphasia, may receive therapy at Aphasia House in the Communication Disorders Clinic. Aphasia House offers a full range of services for individuals with aphasia, from intensive treatment to traditional delivery (both group and individual therapy), as well as community support groups. Learn more at