Susie Stanley | Molding Miracles

SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST | TEMPLE MEMORIAL PEDIATRIC CENTER

Speech-language pathologists specialize in communication.  They assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults.  Since January 1978, Susie Stanley has served as a speech-language pathologist.  She feels blessed that she has found a career she loves.  For the past 33 years, she has worked for Temple and has looked forward to going to work each day.  After all, who wouldn’t look forward to getting to play all day in a fun, loving atmosphere?

photo by: ABBY ELLIOTT

Why did you decide to become involved with Temple? 

I joined Temple in March of 1989 because I wanted to provide speech therapy services to all who need it regardless of their ability to pay for the services.  I had been working in private practice and was frustrated with so many clients unable to afford services. Because Temple was a nonprofit, we could see more clients, thanks to the generosity of our community.

Name one thing about your profession that people might not know.

Speech-language pathologists do a lot more than work on speech. We provide therapy for swallowing, feeding disorders, pragmatic skills, and my favorite, providing nonverbal clients with an alternative/assistive communication (AAC) in the use of sign language, picture exchange, or computer/tablet assisted communication. 

Who has helped you become the person you are today, and how did they inspire you?

My biggest inspiration has been my mother, Billie Williams. She was an active volunteer at our local Easter Seals in Anchorage, Alaska.  She introduced me to many therapists, which led me to decide that speech-language pathology was the job for me at 9 years old. She believed in me and encouraged me to look for ways to give back to our community,  

Another incredible influence in my life was Janet Hoag. She was the director of Temple when I first came to work there. She had a no-nonsense approach to providing services to our clients. She was very active in the community and had a way of coaxing tremendous resources out of people, whether it was financial support for our mission or helping motivate an individual client to keep working toward their goals.

One more inspiration is the families of the children I work with.  These families are so strong and resourceful.  They work hard to find solutions for the problems that their children face.  In working together, we frequently can find a way that neither of us would have found on our own.  I tell these families that I am an expert in speech and communication, but they are the expert in their child. 

Tell us one thing you can’t do without on Thanksgiving Day and explain why.

Family is the most important thing about Thanksgiving. I do love to make a beautiful dinner with turkey and all the trimmings; however, it is the people gathered around the food that make the day. We have a tradition of going around the table and allowing each person to list one thing they are particularly thankful for in their present lives. 

When my kids were younger, I would have them go through their toys on Thanksgiving week and give away the toys they were no longer playing with. Many of these toys are the ones I use in therapy today.  

What do you love most about the Four States area?

I love the many trails and camping opportunities we have in this area. We are so blessed to have lakes, mountains, rivers, and parks within easy driving distance of Texarkana.  

What lessons have you learned from the pandemic?

I have discovered the value of touch.  Because touch was so available, I took touching others for granted.  Also, I am now more aware of the power of being present to those I serve. This 18-month period of physical distancing, doing therapy by Zoom, and being sure to keep hands off people, has taken a toll on most of my clients, and me personally. Though I understand the need for these measures, it has been a heavy burden for many of my kids and for me. 

How would you like for others to remember you?

I would like people to think of me as someone who genuinely cared about others. A person who focused on the positive and looked for solutions to difficult problems.  I hope people will smile when they think of me.