'Communicate Less Verbally and More Visually' - Bruce Heimbach

Bruce Heimbach was in the prime of his professional career as an architect/project manager for a large local construction firm when he unexpectedly suffered a massive stroke. After the stroke, he developed aphasia and was not able to communicate his basic needs and wants. Over time, Heimbach made a remarkable recovery and developed a new outlook on life: “Experience the world more visually and less verbally.”

Aphasia is the loss or impairment of language. Faculty members from the Department of Speech-Language Pathology will provide a brief overview of what aphasia is and how it can impact a person. Heimbach will share his experience in recovery as well as his art and how it has guided him and shifted his values and priorities.

From Heimbach: “This is a new life. All of my efforts now go toward attending speech therapy and to adapting and learning a ‘new’ language. My old (great) job and hobbies are gone; I now ‘enjoy life visually, not verbally.’ I have to use my camera, my pencils and my brushes to try to make diagrams, examples and communications. I want to encourage and inspire others – patients, students and teachers – to slow down and live simply.”