Proclamation Signing
Front Row: Mayor Doug Smith and Judge/Executive Larry Wilson; back row (L-R): Charlotte Roach-MCES Exceptional Education, Chasity Oakes and Jan Sandidge-Speech Language Pathologists, Carolyn Parnell-Administrative Secretary, Jamie Moss-Director of Exceptional Education, Superintendent Josh Hurt, and Speech Therapist Mary Ann Forbes. Not pictured Katelyn Walden. Photo | PJ Martin
By PJ Martin
Editor
The Herald-News
May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month (NSLHM) and the time to raise awareness about communication and hearing health and to honor the professionals, families, and individuals who make listening and spoken language possible for people who face challenges.
It isn’t something we think about often, but only if we face a communication challenge and need their assistance.
Speech-language pathologists and their staff play a major role in healthcare and education. They help people of all ages overcome speech, language, and swallowing challenges to have more fulfilling lives.
Speech plays a huge role in the lives of people of all ages:
Schools – Pathologists assist children with speech delays, language processing challenges, or non-verbal communication needs.
Healthcare Facilities – Acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and healthcare-based speech-language pathologists treat patients with swallowing issues, voice disorders, and more.
Home Health – Support patients recovering from stroke or surgery with in-home therapy to regain vital communication and swallowing skills.
State of Kentucky – Metcalfe County Proclamation
WHEREAS, specializing in normal and disordered human communication, speech-language pathologists and audiologists are professionals who serve people with communicative disorders; and Communication disorders are among the most common conditions in children and adults, affecting tens of millions of people in the United States alone. Left untreated, these disorders can negatively impact a person’s academic, social, and career success—as well as their overall quality of life; and
WHEREAS, working with providing treatment to improve language, voice, hearing, stuttering, articulation, memory, literacy, and swallowing, with early intervention and treatment, many communication disorders can be reversed or even prevented. However, treatment at any age or any state can make a positive impact.
WHEREAS, to advocate for quality services and the scientific study of human communication and its disorders; and
Therefore, I am pleased to join with the citizens of Edmonton, Kentucky in recognizing May as National Speech-Language-Hearing Month. I salute the speech-language pathologists in our community who dedicate themselves every day to improving the lives of their clients, patients, and students.
In witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the County to be offered complete at the Metcalfe County Court House of Metcalfe County, Edmonton, Kentucky, this twelfth day of May in the year of our Lord, two thousand and twenty-five and of the great Commonwealth of Kentucky.
