Hello, my name is Winston Jerome Lindsley. I am dedicating "Speech Practice" to my business partner and close friend, Gennady Ozerov who died on September 28, 2002, as a result of injuries following a plane crash. Gennady was an avid sky diver and was taking off for a jump in his hometown of Krasnoyarsk City, Russia, when the accident happened. He was Vice President of my company, ITIC and, a very close friend. Gennady was a great inspiration to me during my recovery and I hope ìSpeech Practiceî inspires you to go the course in your recovery.
On April 29, 2002, I had an aneurysm on my aorta which caused internal bleeding. I had to undergo immediate surgery where the odds were against me ñ only one in ten people survive. The surgery took 3 hours but I was in the operating room for over 7 hours due to the bleeding that followed. A few days after my surgery, they discovered I had suffered a stroke on the left side of my brain which left me paralyzed on the right side of my body ñ I am now fully mobile. They also diagnosed me with Aphasia and Apraxia. While I can understand and think normally, the words do not always come out correctly. This is improving thanks to my continued participation in the University of Michigan Residential Aphasia Program ñ a program that I would recommend you consider if you are facing a similar diagnosis after your stroke. I am also continuing home speech therapy with Karen Scoggins, a Speech Language Pathologist working for Innovative Speech Therapy based in Potomac, Maryland.
My family background led me into the field of international relations through global trade, commerce and building strong relationships. As a close descendent of Winston Churchillís American family, I credit contacts with the former British Prime Minister during my early years as a driving force in understanding international relationships. I am also kin to the John Deere Tractor Company and have worked in the automobile business since I was 15 years old.
I would like to thank Neil Walton of Geeks on Call, along with Karen Scoggins, who have helped tremendously in the production of ìSpeech Practiceî.