Speech Therapist Joins NARH Rehabilitation Services

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Jane Kingsley Apkin of Sarasota, Fla., a speech-language pathologist, has joined the Rehabilitation Services department of North Adams Regional Hospital. Apkin will be treating inpatients and outpatients at NARH.

Apkin earned her master’s degree in Hearing and Speech Sciences from Ohio University and has since worked in a variety of positions including as a speech pathology clinical supervisor, speech-language pathology consultant for the state of Georgia, and speech-language pathologist in a rehab hospital and long-term acute care hospital. Most recently she was Vice President of Operations and Southern Regional Director for Health Connections Rehabilitation Services in Tallahassee, Fla.

“Swallowing and speaking come so naturally to us that we take these skills for granted,” said Apkin. “But after a stroke or other illness, swallowing and communication issues often have a major impact on overall health and quality of life.”

Apkin said most people with speech and language problems can be helped. Speech-language pathologists (or speech therapists) have a wide variety of assessment and treatment tools to provide customized interventions for every client and age group.  

“An especially helpful assessment tool is the modified barium swallow (MBS) study, which is a motion-picture X-ray of the swallow as it happens so that we are able to determine whether food and liquid are going to the stomach or spilling toward the lungs,” said Apkin. “With this brief, non-invasive test, we can formulate a treatment plan to restore the client to their maximum level of swallowing safety. This test may be performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis.”

Some common speech, language, and swallowing disorders include aphasia (receptive or expressive language), dysarthria (slurred speech), verbal apraxia (knowing what word you want to say, but unable to say it), voice disorders (hoarse, harsh, or breathy voice), and speech and language development issues. Speech therapists work with people of all ages to treat these disorders.

North Adams Regional Hospital offers all speech therapy services on an inpatient and outpatient basis. For more Information, contact NARH Rehab Services at 413-664-5448.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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