High Asia for aphasia I
High Asia for Aphasia-1 was wonderfully successful. In July 2013, I safely summited Mt Kun (7077m / 23,218 ft) in Indian Kashmir, one of the highest glaciated peaks of the far western Himalaya. More importantly, the aphasia awareness campaign reached the minds and hearts of hundreds of people across 4 continents. We also raised $2400 for the University of Arizona's Speech & Language Pathology Department's adult aphasia group therapy program, enabling several clients to begin or remain in therapy. High Asia for Aphasia II aims to continue with the success of the HAFA I campaign.
Greg Leonard displays the High Asia for Aphasia (HAFA) banner that he carried to the summit of Mt Kun (23,250 feet) in July 2013, and Professor Janet Hawley of the University of Arizona's Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences department displays the check that represents funds raised for HAFA-I The check was presented to the department by Leonard & Hawley at the annual department Open House event which occurred during the University of Arizona's Homecoming weekend, November 9th. Thanks to all who support High Asia for Aphasia!
Photo courtesy of C. Fay, University of Arizona Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Photo courtesy of C. Fay, University of Arizona Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Post HAFA-I Events
September 2017: My wife Barbara has taken advantage of her annual birthday publicity to increase aphasia awareness, largely through social media. This has also kick-started another round of fundraising for the Aphasia Group Scholarship Program at the University of Arizona's, Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. This program is vital for those afflicted with aphasia to learn how to regain communication skills. Any donation is gratefully received and applied directly to those who need it most. You may use the DONATE button at the left side of the page. Thanks!
June 2015: June is National Aphasia Awareness month. For the second straight year the University of Arizona Department of Speech and Language Sciences with support from the Tucson Aphasia Center are holding a 'Walk for Aphasia Awareness' event at the Udall Recreation Park. Participants can walk the Mt Kun, Kashmir, India basecamp-to-summit and return distance (about 3 vertical miles), but along the comfortable, air-conditioned (and horizontal!) indoor track at the Rec Center. Last year was a resounding success, and this year we are looking for even more support. Everyone is welcome and all participants will receive a certificate of achievement for Aphasia Awareness.
WHEN: Saturday June 27, 2015, 9am. WHERE: Morris K Udall Rec Center (7200 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson. WHO: Everyone! You are welcome to bring and use your wheeled walkers, trekking poles, or just your sneakers. SO COME ON OUT!
August 2013: The climb is completed, and was successful! Read about it in the "Travel BLOG" and view the adventure in "Travel Photos". Most importantly the aphasia awareness and fundraising campaigns continue, as do our plans for future events. Please take the time to learn more about aphasia here and within your community, donate if you can, and spread the word!
September 2017: My wife Barbara has taken advantage of her annual birthday publicity to increase aphasia awareness, largely through social media. This has also kick-started another round of fundraising for the Aphasia Group Scholarship Program at the University of Arizona's, Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. This program is vital for those afflicted with aphasia to learn how to regain communication skills. Any donation is gratefully received and applied directly to those who need it most. You may use the DONATE button at the left side of the page. Thanks!
June 2015: June is National Aphasia Awareness month. For the second straight year the University of Arizona Department of Speech and Language Sciences with support from the Tucson Aphasia Center are holding a 'Walk for Aphasia Awareness' event at the Udall Recreation Park. Participants can walk the Mt Kun, Kashmir, India basecamp-to-summit and return distance (about 3 vertical miles), but along the comfortable, air-conditioned (and horizontal!) indoor track at the Rec Center. Last year was a resounding success, and this year we are looking for even more support. Everyone is welcome and all participants will receive a certificate of achievement for Aphasia Awareness.
WHEN: Saturday June 27, 2015, 9am. WHERE: Morris K Udall Rec Center (7200 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson. WHO: Everyone! You are welcome to bring and use your wheeled walkers, trekking poles, or just your sneakers. SO COME ON OUT!
August 2013: The climb is completed, and was successful! Read about it in the "Travel BLOG" and view the adventure in "Travel Photos". Most importantly the aphasia awareness and fundraising campaigns continue, as do our plans for future events. Please take the time to learn more about aphasia here and within your community, donate if you can, and spread the word!
Thank You for Caring
Sincerely,
Gregory Leonard
Founder - High Asia for Aphasia