My desire to become a Speech Language Pathologist
I remember the first time that I heard about speech language pathology was when I was twelve years old. I met a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) while on a plane, where I was lucky enough to sit beside her. During the flight, we engaged in a short conversation about her profession and she explained to me what speech pathologists role entail which really inspired my desire to become one. I was particularly fascinated by the role that she played as a speech pathologist to change people’s lives for good with regained ability to speak. That encounter made me realize what I wanted to do in my life and that is helping people regain their ability to speak.
Over the years, I have come across people with speech problems that hinder them from communicating effectively. Speech is everything in human beings and it can be very devastating and stigmatizing when one is not able to communicate effectively. I have developed an attachment to helping these people with speech problems and I always feel very concerned when I meet someone that cannot express themselves clearly. This has increased my desire to understand the problem of speech therapy better so that I can gain more knowledge through watching educational videos and also doing extensive reading of informative articles just so that I can help improve the lives of these people for the better.
Just recently, my uncle suffered a stroke and this caused some brain damage that massively affected his ability to speak. There was no thorough diagnosis that was made in regard to his speech problem because of lack of resources and equipment which was very heart-breaking. My uncle was hence not properly treated during the time that extensive therapy would have greatly helped improve his speech. This experience with speech problem on a personal level has made me feel that it is my social obligation to do all that I can to help individuals who ensure situations like that of my uncle.
I now realize how extensive the problem of speech therapy treatment is in the society and the need to raise awareness on language disorders within the society. Back here in my home country, South Arabia, the expertise and knowledge in matters of speech and language disorders is still at an early stage. More young therapists myself included are required to help bring on more fulfilling healthcare in matters of speech therapy to the local communities which will greatly help individuals that are suffering from issues of speech therapy.
The experience and the knowledge that I have so far gained as an undergraduate student at the University of Akron has made me understand, that patience and empathy are vital traits when working with speech disorder patients. During my undergraduate, I got the chance to shadow an SLP at Summa Rehab Hospital which greatly helped me to experience the sense of the speech therapy problems at a close range and from here I got to understand the influence that empathy and patience traits have on patience speech development.
My desire in pursuing a Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology goes beyond my will to learn more. Becoming a speech language pathologist will give me the chance to extend my involvement in helping individuals just like my uncle that lack the proper care to help them regain their speech abilities. I am eager to further extend my knowledge on speech and language disorders, learn more about counselling the patients and their families and acquire more experimental experience in this field. My time learning communication disorders at the University of Akron was enriching and I believe that is the best facility for me to acquire more knowledge on speech language pathology.
