Mother, Daughter Travel A Challenging Path Together at the Speech-Language Institute

Traci Albuck has relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), characterized by unpredictable relapses where new symptoms appear or existing ones worsen, followed by periods of remission where symptoms may partially or fully resolve.

As a math teacher at Central High School in the Philadelphia School District, Albuck always needs to be on her toes. About a year ago, she noticed her cognitive skills seemed to be slowing down a bit, so on a visit to her neurologist, it was suggested she start speech therapy.

Ryan Albuck had also noticed her mother was lacking in some skills — word finding, cognition — so as a student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at Drexel University, Elkins Park campus, Ryan suggested her mother check out the Speech-Language Institute (SLI), the University’s on-site clinical facility.

“When Ryan started grad school, she was learning more and more, and she said, ‘Mom, I really do think you need speech therapy.’ I know what she does here and I know she loves it here, so I figured OK, someone at SLI can help me,” said Traci Albuck. 

As a teacher, being a patient at SLI, where students in the Master of Science SLP program receive hands-on training, resonated with Albuck. 

“I like to teach and I like people learning. So, why shouldn't they be learning from me?” said Albuck. “Why not learn along together? I thought that was a really unique experience to be able to learn together. I'm learning what to do and so are they with a high functioning patient.”

Albuck said the SLI clinical educators and graduate students have been amazing as they help her navigate the challenges of RRMS. Her goal is to continue teaching for another five years until retirement. 

“This (RRMS) is scary. It’s not going away. It's not curable. And, if I don't have a handle on it, who will? If I don't do what I need to do for the rest of my life, when things are going downhill, who's going to do it? If I'm not going to be proactive, then I'm going to be one of those statistics,” said Albuck. 

It was her mother’s condition that eventually led Ryan to pursue a career in SLP. “It was tough at first when she became a client at SLI. I was wearing the hat of a student and knowing what I know from a student’s perspective,” said Ryan. “And, then being her daughter and coping with the family side of the diagnosis. But I’m happy that I can be part of a profession that can really make a difference in her life.”

Although mother and daughter don’t work together directly when Traci is at SLI, Ryan is able to observe sessions on video if she chooses. “I don’t want her as my therapist, because I don’t want to perform for her and I don’t want her to see my weaknesses all the time,” said Traci. “She doesn’t need to see the nitty-gritty all the time because it’s ugly. And, as my child, I can’t even imagine watching her mother like this.”

But Ryan does watch, and finds it both educational and interesting to see what her peers do as student clinicians working with someone so closely related to her.

“The faculty is great. I know that because I'm a student and I have that experience, too,” said Ryan. “But seeing it reflected in my mom's sessions is really special. And, they really do such a great job. They're so patient and so professional. You would never know that this is a student run clinical facility. Everyone functions as if it’s just a normal outpatient clinic and it was really awesome to see that in action with someone I love.”

In addition, working with families and caregivers is a big part of the SLP profession, and has become another lesson Ryan can utilize as she moves forward with her career.

“Being on the flip side of being a daughter of somebody with a degenerative neurological disease has taught me a lot about how I would like to be spoken to as a family member,” said Ryan. “You have to realize that these are really heavy emotions and real experiences that it has definitely changed my approach on how I speak to my clients’ families.”

Traci Albuck believes her experiences at SLI and how the students are trained sets them up for future success in the profession. “I am very excited for everyone in the program because they're learning what my daughter is learning,” she said. “They are wonderful here and I have no doubt that Ryan will be successful. And, maybe some day I will have my own personal SLP.”

Schedule an appointment with an expert at SLI today by calling 215.780.3150.