As my time working as an intern at Neuro Hero draws to a close, I am able to reflect on the last 3 months as one of the most eye-opening times of my life. Between an education and an internship abroad, I have been able to learn an incredible amount in such a short time, about Ireland, Speech-Language Therapy, the latest innovations in therapeutic technology, and maybe most importantly, about myself.
I came into ...
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From Madrid to Dublin with Neuro Hero
Having lived in Madrid, Spain all my life I decided to pack my things and move to Ireland for an internship. I can say that moving abroad was the best decision I ever made. My internship at Neuro Hero started in February 2015 and before working here I didn´t know a lot about communication conditions such as aphasia. Neuro Hero has produced software to help people with word finding difficulties. It is called
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Autism, apps and the Arunima project
I first came across the Arunima project in 2011 while I was responding to queries on the Indian Autism forum. I was writing about my vision to improve services for people with Autism and Intellectual Disability in India. Aparna Das replied immediately and told me that’s she was in the process of building a facility in Dehradun, at the foothills of the Himalayas.
I immediately picked up the phone and asked her how I could play ...
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Meeting the Neuro Hero team
In December, I met my colleagues, Ian the “ IT guy” and Roisín the project manager. They are ever inquisitve and always have a critical take on things that relate to the project. I enjoyed the first meeting where ideas kept bouncing off the walls. My first assignment was to collect feedback from Speech and Language therapists around the world. The team were determined to improve their Talk Around It app which helps people with ‘word ...
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It was a late September afternoon and I was spicing my soup when I read about an opportunity to work with Neuro Hero. As a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) I have always been interested in using digital technologies to help my patients. I started using SLT apps when I was working in MINDS clinic in Singapore and my private practice in India. My interest developed when I became a part of developing low cost assistive ...
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Updating our app: an organic process
Part of my work with Neuro Hero includes gathering and documenting customer feedback in order to review our app Talk Around It. Enhancing customer satisfaction is such an important element and can be often overlooked when developing digital products. Although our apps are developed by Speech and Language therapists we also need to see how our software is being used by independent therapists using our apps ...
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The Sapeurs in this picture embody a dignity and fighting spirit that can overcome poverty and adversity. By dressing in bright, elegant clothes they transform themselves and temporarily lift the spirits of a community in the Congo. As the Guinness ad proclaims, these men really are ‘made of more’.
Yesterday I was captivated by a talk given by directors of Diageo and Milward Brown about how to create a brand. We watched numerous Guinness ads and ...
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In 2006 a stroke caused Steve to lose his speech; since then he has been able to say “1,2,3”, “difficult” and a few other words. His frustration has been immense and the impact on family life is beyond measure.
This Saturday evening our daughters had a baking competition, Steve was the judge. Gina (now aged 14) presented a large, well risen, Oreo cake while Tanya (now aged 8) proudly handed over a modest, highly decorated chocolate ...
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Andrew Marr’s eloquence and humour allowed ordinary people a real insight into life after stroke during his time with JohnathanRoss. This interview offered a rare combination of entertainment, inspiration and highlighting essential issues.
In particular Andrew drew attention to the lack of physiotherapy available for ordinary people who are living with the consequences of stroke. In Ireland and the UK most people are offered six to eight ...
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I remember the first time I went to Trinity College Dublin. It was my final year in school and I had been invited to the Trinity Ball. As I stepped through the gates, the noise of the traffic disappeared and the grey cityscape was exchanged for the magnificence of the Exam Hall and the music of Strauss. I remember feeling as though I had been transported into a perfect oasis.
That memory was in stark ...
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