Thanks to a $500 grant, Eugene Speech Therapy is now able to expand its resources to help people with Parkinson’s with a new reading program called Rowdy Readers.

Eugene Speech Therapy is using the money to create a six-week course which would help Parkinson’s patients improve their speech and reading abilities.

The program aims to help patients become better readers and speakers.

The course starts this coming Monday and is free thanks to that grant.

After the six week program, participants will have the opportunity to show what they have learned to local schools.

“Speech pathology, a lot of people don’t actually know a lot about it but it does change lives. We are experts in attempting to change people’s lives. Just think about not being able to communicate and then being able to communicate–it makes a huge difference,” said Sierra Corbin M.S.Ed, CCC-SLP, owner of Eugene Speech Therapy, who has seen improvements through other courses she offers.

She adds this will be helpful to people with Parkinson’s for several reasons: “Improving their communication and they are getting to participate in the community. They are getting out, they are going to schools, interacting with young kids. People with Parkinson’s tend to isolate and no longer have the opportunity to do that so we are helping them to do that.”

She says her participants won’t be the only ones benefiting from the experience.

Her team will attend various Eugene schools and share their knowledge and accomplishments to grade school children.

“I think that it will benefit the kids as well, you know, being read to, and also meeting people who are different from them with disabilities.” says Corbin.

If you know anyone with Parkinson’s that might benefit from programs like Rowdy Readers, visit eugenespeechtherapy.com.