Nine-year-old Kelsey Rideau of Byram works with Jackson State University student Melissa Shorter at the Central Mississippi Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic at the Universities Center.
Dr. Zenobia Bagli
Clinic helping patients with speech, language, hearing disorders BY ERICA M. JORDAN Matthew Blackwell, once a prominent business owner, suffered four strokes in six years. His last stroke in 2005 resulted in severe problems with his speech and language. Although he suffered many setbacks, he found hope at Jackson State University’s Central Mississippi Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic at the Universities Center. “I couldn’t say anything two years ago before I started coming to the clinic,” says Blackwell, who owned a plumbing and carpeting business in Jackson, Miss. “Now I can speak.” The department of communicative disorders in the School of Health Sciences, College of Public Service opened its doors to the community by establishing the clinic in 1998. The Ayers higher education desegregation lawsuit settlement fully funded the program. The clinic was formed to help children and adults who may not have the proper resources for adequate care and intervention. It does not
charge for its services. The clinic provides therapy to people with speech, language and hearing problems resulting from birth defects, autism, lisps, appraxia and developmental challenges. It also helps to rehabilitate people, like Blackwell, who have suffered hearing and speech loss because of illnesses. “Our services meet the needs of the community, especially for those who fall between the cracks,” says Dr. Zenobia Bagli, chair of the department of communicative disorders. “But we also have patients who just prefer our services.” Blackwell says that attending therapy at the clinic has helped him improve his quality of life. “I’ve learned to be more patient as well.” Before the stroke, Blackwell was independent and hardworking. At his church, he served as deacon and volunteered with the youth ministry. Like Blackwell, Brenda Sharp of Forest, Miss.,
DO I QUALIFY? All children and adults who have any of the following may contact the clinic for possible service: developmental and acquired articulation and phonological disorders, motor speech disorders, language and cognitive disorders, voice disorders (including services to persons with laryngectomy), resonance disorders, swallowing disorders, accent modification or aural habilitation/rehabilitation. There is no charge for the services.
CONTACT US The Central Mississippi Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic is located in the Universities Center, 3825 Ridgewood Road in Jackson. For more information, call 601-432-6846 or 601-432-6717; Dr. Zenobia Bagli, chair at 601-432-6713; or Carol Cannon, clinic coordinator at 601-432-6849.