Speech therapy is an indispensable profession that helps people overcome communication, language and voice disorders. Sonia Afanasieva has been practising the profession and working for the MUHC since 2021 and has been part of The Neuro team since 2022.听
Tell me about your work?听
I work here at the Neuro with inpatients. These are patients, who for the most part have had strokes within the last 24 hours or less. We also work with brain tumours and neurodegenerative diseases, but it鈥檚 really in acute care that we see patients. Our role here is to determine the patients鈥� communication needs, whether it鈥檚 support or new strategies to be able to communicate better.听
What鈥檚 a day like for you?听
We have each day one team meeting at least, usually in the morning. Then, we鈥檒l see if there are any new patients admitted and we鈥檒l go and assess them and follow up with patients who are already here. It鈥檚 a lot of teamwork, so it鈥檚 fast paced.听
What attracted you to your profession?听
I really enjoy talking to people, listening to them and then helping them. But I also like the concrete aspect, whether it鈥檚 advising patients or guiding them towards specific actions and resources. I find exploring the brain super interesting: it ties in with my interest in languages, linguistics, the structure of a language, grammar and language learning. It鈥檚 a job that suits my personality and it comes naturally to me.听
What do you like most about your job?听
I love the fact that I鈥檓 able to listen to my patients, and that I鈥檓 trained to guide them through what can be a very confusing and difficult time. It鈥檚 very gratifying to see that people feel less confused and better oriented after my intervention.听
One of your more memorable moments?听
What I like most is the humour aspect. We have the unique opportunity to learn strategies, to have a certain understanding and flexibility in communication and to be able to connect with patients. It鈥檚 a really special bond that we find with patients, and we鈥檒l be able to have a laugh too. There will be some unusual moments, that鈥檚 for sure, because there are misunderstandings. Not being able to communicate your sense of humour can be very difficult because it鈥檚 so integral to your personality. To be able to laugh with patients and to experience these moments is an enormous privilege.听
