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Kristin Winter with SpeechRx

EP# 266: The Profound Impact of Speech Therapy: Kristin Winter's Journey with SpeechRx and Personal Resilience

August 03, 20244 min read
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What makes Kristin Winter with SpeechRx a good neighbor?

Curious about the intricacies of speech therapy? This episode of the Good Neighbor Podcast offers an in-depth look into the life and work of Kristin Winter from SpeechRx. Kristin joins us to share the wide range of services her practice provides, debunking common misconceptions about speech therapy. While many associate speech therapy with articulation, Kristin explains how it encompasses much more, from aiding stroke and Parkinson’s patients with memory and cognition to addressing chronic coughs and voice disorders.

Kristin’s journey began during the pandemic when she noticed a critical need in her community for comprehensive speech, voice, and swallowing therapy. This realization led her to establish SpeechRx, a practice dedicated to improving the quality of life for adults facing various communication and swallowing challenges. Her commitment to her patients is evident as she describes the spectrum of conditions she treats, including those related to neurological diseases, post-surgical complications, and chronic coughs.

A significant portion of Kristin’s practice involves working with individuals who have swallowing disorders. These patients often come to SpeechRx after struggling with eating and drinking due to conditions like neck cancer, tumors, or brain surgery. Through specialized therapies and assessments, Kristin and her team provide much-needed relief and improvement in these patients' daily lives. One such innovative tool they use is the FEES swallow study, which allows for real-time visualization of a patient’s swallowing mechanism without the need for invasive procedures.

Beyond her professional achievements, Kristin shares a deeply personal story about her mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. This experience has profoundly impacted her approach to patient care, infusing it with empathy and a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by caregivers and patients alike. Her story is a testament to the resilience and dedication that drive her work at SpeechRx.

Kristin’s dedication to her practice is balanced by her love for relaxation and sports. She enjoys unwinding at the beach and is an avid fan of college sports, particularly football and basketball. This personal insight provides a well-rounded view of Kristin, highlighting the importance of work-life balance even for healthcare professionals.

One of the common misconceptions about speech therapy that Kristin addresses is the belief that it only deals with articulation issues. She explains that speech-language pathologists work on a variety of conditions, including cognitive and memory issues, voice disorders, and chronic cough. These conditions often require specialized knowledge and treatment strategies that go beyond traditional speech therapy.

For instance, chronic cough, which can persist long after a cold or flu, often leads patients to seek help from pulmonologists or ENT specialists. However, speech therapists like Kristin can provide effective strategies and exercises to mitigate this condition, offering relief where other treatments may have failed. This highlights the versatility and importance of speech therapy in addressing a wide range of health issues.

Another key aspect of Kristin’s work is her focus on voice disorders. Individuals with hoarse, raspy, or rough-sounding voices may have underlying conditions like vocal cord nodules that require specialized therapy. SpeechRx offers targeted treatments to improve voice quality, helping patients regain confidence and functionality in their daily communication.

Kristin’s holistic approach to speech therapy is further exemplified by her use of the FEES swallow study. This tool provides a detailed assessment of a patient’s swallowing function, allowing for immediate feedback and tailored therapy plans. By avoiding more invasive procedures like barium swallow studies, the FEES approach offers a patient-friendly alternative that enhances the diagnostic process and treatment outcomes.

Throughout the episode, Kristin emphasizes the importance of early intervention and continuous care. She explains that many patients believe they need a referral from a physician to seek speech therapy, but this is not always the case. Particularly for Medicare patients, direct access to speech therapy services can expedite treatment and improve outcomes. Kristin encourages listeners to reach out directly to SpeechRx to discuss their needs and begin the journey toward better communication and swallowing health.

This episode of the Good Neighbor Podcast provides an eye-opening look into the vital work of speech therapists. Kristin Winter’s passion and dedication shine through as she shares her professional insights and personal experiences. Whether you are a patient, a caregiver, or simply curious about speech therapy, this conversation offers valuable knowledge and inspiration.

Join us in exploring the profound impact of speech therapy on quality of life, and gain a deeper appreciation for the often underappreciated work of speech-language pathologists. Kristin Winter’s story is one of resilience, empathy, and unwavering commitment to her patients, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in healthcare and personal growth.

To learn more about SpeechRx go to:

https://www.speechrx.org

SpeechRx

772-781-3740

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Good Neighbors Podcast Port St Lucie is a platform that allows local businesses and charities to introduce themselves to their neighbors. I have helped neighbors to become friends while introducing them to local businesses and charities since 2015. From being the founding publisher of PGA Village Living and market manager for Best Version Media, this has been my mission.


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