How Speech Hens Transformed a Rural Community with Life-Changing Therapy

About this episode

In this episode of Resiliency The Podcast, hosts Jenn Quader and Dr. Kelly Culver sit down with Maryanne Ward and Laura Downey, founders of Speech Hens, a private speech and language clinic in Simcoe, Ontario. Discover how they’ve pioneered life-changing communication services in their rural community, empowering individuals of all ages to communicate with confidence. From overcoming personal struggles to winning prestigious awards, their story is one of resilience, innovation, and community impact.

Chapters

1. 00:00
   Introduction & Music
2. 00:02
   Meet the Hosts: Jen Quader & Dr. Kelly Culver
3. 00:41
   Introducing Marianne Ward & Laura Downey of Speech Hens
4. 01:15
   The Mission of Speech Hens: Communication for All Ages
5. 03:15
   Starting a Rural Speech Clinic: Addressing Community Needs
6. 05:20
   Overcoming Challenges & Building Resilience
7. 08:25
   Personal Stories of Struggle and Growth
8. 14:00
   Expanding Services: Occupational Therapy, Literacy, Feeding
9. 19:22
   Undiagnosed Disorders & the Impact on Adults
10. 28:51
    Inclusive Programs: Supporting Children with Autism and Selective Eating
11. 40:52
    Winning the 1Awards: Community Impact Recognized
12. 43:00
    "Treats in the Streets" Initiative: Inclusive Halloween Fun
13. 46:03
    Final Reflections: The Power of Communication & Resilience
14. 49:32
    Closing Remarks: Communicating with Confidence

Transcript

A full transcript of this episode is available.

Read the transcript