Page 30 - PresidentReport2024Portrait

Elaine Adler, z"l, the well-loved founder and life-long supporter
of the Adler Aphasia Center at HAC, passed away in August,
2023. She was 95 years old. Elaine was a dedicated activist and
philanthropist who promoted community-based therapeutic
treatment options for stroke and brain injury victims who suffered
from aphasia. The Adler family originally became involved in
this field when Elaine's husband, Mike z"l, suffered a stroke and
developed aphasia, but found no appropriate treatment options.
Elaine was a passionate and outspoken voice on behalf of people
living with aphasia, and influenced many others to support the
development of services for this population. With her influence,
the State of New Jersey became the first state to enact legislation
to increase the provision of support services for people living with
aphasia. Elaine's mantra was "speak up for people who cannot
speak for themselves."
Today, the Adler Aphasia Center at HAC serves some 80
individuals, and is an active training site for students in the
College's Department of Communication Disorders. The Center
is also actively involved in training members of the Israeli medical
community about the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia
Rehabilitation, and advocating for the rights of aphasia patients to
receive lifelong care throughout Israel.

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