As summer moves steadily toward fall and the Covid-19 remains part of our life, there are bright spots that can be shared with the hope of providing a positive light for each of us to consider.
Our Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Speech & Language Clinic continues to generate success via Telepractice at Portland State University. In March of this year the Clinic was faced with suspending in-person speech therapy for children and transitioning to Telepractice.
The clinic confronted the tasks of training Portland State University staff and families in using the emerging technology. Faced with licensure laws, supervision regulations and the actual use of the equipment needed, Professor Meyer and Dr. McGill have met the challenge. In great part this has been made possible by the generous support of your Speech & Language Charity, of Dr. McGill’s research and training protocols for Telepractice.
The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Speech & Language Clinic is now serving 41 children free of charge through Telepractice throughout Oregon. From the humble beginnings just two years ago the Clinic is now able to serve children with cleft lip and palate, children who require communication devices to speak, voice disorders, those with cochlear implants and children with literacy issues.
“Scottish Rite funding has been crucial to maintaining operations”, said Professor Meyer. “With Covid-19, the impact on both the clinic and the families has never been greater”, She said. PSU staff hopes to use this as an opportunity to expand Telepractice therapy to all of Oregon. As we all know children in rural communities, in underserved areas and families unable to reach the physical location of the clinic due to transportation obstacles are not currently being served to the degree necessary.
According to Professor Meyer, the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Speech & Language Clinic is changing lives. What better way to live the spirit of Scottish Rite and Masonry than to support our Speech & Language Charity with a tax deductible donation.
In Brotherhood,
Bill Anton 33°
OPR & Past President
Speech & Language Charity