The Wetenhall family gathered in Washington, DC in early June 2002. Ben and Maria, accompanied by daughter Marsha and her husband and son, flew in from Charleston. They checked in to the Kellogg Conference Center at Gallaudet University on June 7 to participate in the Speaking Out! 2002 conference.

The conference includes people with aphasia and their family members as well as rehabilitation professionals. Aphasia is an impairment of language, affecting the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read or write. It is brought on by brain injury and is often a result of a stroke. It affects more than one million Americans. The conference is an opportunity to learn about the latest treatment methods and view the latest software and communication tools. The event includes talks by people who have overcome aphasia to regain communication ability.

Ben and Maria attended the 2000 version of the conference in Michigan just a few months after Ben’s stroke. This year’s conference was a great opportunity to renew friendships and to celebrate Ben’s progress and the progress of others.

The Gallaudet campus was a wonderful setting for the campus and family reunion. The students had left and the late spring weather was perfect. The campus is a beautiful blend of Victorian era buildings and contemporary structures. And, it is only a few miles from Union Station and the U.S. Capitol.

Dan and his family drove in from Greenville. Paul and Sarah drove down from Rochester. While some family members attended the conference, others toured Washington. The kids enjoyed museums and shopping. Everyone had a delicious dinner at America restaurant in beautifully restored Union Station. The campus was a great playground for the younger kids. The entire family enjoyed a driving tour of Washington’s beautiful monuments.

By Sunday afternoon, the reunion began to break up as the northern contingent drove back to school and work. The rest of the family headed south a few days later. It was a delightful family visit and a wonderful conference.

To learn more about aphasia, visit the National Aphasia Association.