AQPA, a pioneer serving the cause of aphasia
Founded in 1982, AQPA was the first association in Quebec to help people with aphasia and their families. A look back at a story rich in exciting challenges.
Uninterrupted support for people with aphasia and their loved ones
Throughout our history, we have been able to raise public awareness, develop partnerships with the health and social services network, and support our members in various ways.
We were lucky enough to meet benefactors along the way. These people, whether donors or partners, have allowed us to pursue our mission. We also received regular support from the Community Organization Support Program (PSOC). Thanks to the aid received, AQPA was able to carry out an uninterrupted series of initiatives to help its members make themselves understood and improve their quality of life.
Our various directors have finally been able to consolidate our structure, which today has French-speaking, English-speaking members and a large number of allophones. Today, AQPA is a reflection of Montreal: cosmopolitan and open to different cultures.
AQPA celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2022
AQPA celebrated its 40th anniversary on November 13, 2022 at the Maison de la culture Mercier, in Montreal. The slogan of the event, “40 years of history and life”, was chosen by members and their loved ones during a workshop.
As a theme, the Little Prince by Saint-Exupéry visited the planet Aphasia during a play. This fabulous discovery was jointly recounted by the Théâtre Aphasique and the Aphasia Choir during an exceptional evening.
Our story in highlights
Here are some major contributions to the evolution of AQPA of which we are particularly proud:
- More than 20 years of existence for the Aphasia Choir, directed by Christine Cantin, whose commitment and passion have allowed the choir to be the guest of the media (films, television) and to give numerous concerts who made aphasia known;
- A program of varied activities, of a cultural, artistic, social, educational or fun nature, aimed at developing individual skills;
- The organization of conferences, the major participation in the film Les Mots perdus, and the publication of works on aphasia;
- The production of the show Terre Aphasia in 2006, jointly with the Théâtre Aphasique;
- The collaboration with the speech therapy schools of the universities of Montreal, Mc Gill, and the Institute for Research in Music and Health of the University of Ottawa, which provided hundreds of students with a privileged opportunity to discover aphasia and develop community intervention models;
- The implementation of the "Service aux proches d’une personne aphasique" (SAPPA) in 2013, the development of friendship visits, the contribution of a teacher from the "Centre de ressources éducatives et pédagogiques" (CREP) of the Montreal School Services Center in our communication workshops since 1999;
- The creation of the "Fondation Maison de l’aphasie" in 2013, whose mission is to financially support AQPA in order to maintain essential services and develop new ones.
