Officers

President
Co-President
Treasurer
Secretary

Nancy Morris President

Babyland General?  Not a very auspicious beginning. But Babyland is where my story begins, 57 years ago.  I was born in a log cabin, makes a better opening than I was born at Babyland General.  But, as momma always said, “Nothing beats the truth.”  Now, you can go to Babyland General and spend $100 for a cabbage patch kid.  My dad’s bill was considerably less. 

As a working woman I have enjoyed many jobs.  My first job was in Covington.  The thing I remember the most about those kids is that they were 16 and I was 22.  One day a teacher, who was very upset, called me into the hall to ask me what a word meant that a kid had used. The word was “sux.” My only explanation at age 22 was that the word was misspelled. 

Some jobs crossed my palms and some did not.  Some I enjoyed because of my children.  It is amazing how many canapés can be made in middle of night while babies sleep.

In the days before computers, I did calligraphy for invitations to weddings, certificates, and even taught calligraphy at Callanwolde.  I lost that job when I lost my right hand.

One of the first things I was asked to do for the Atlanta Public Schools was teach a group of students Othello. They were the lowest level of students, and no one could read. I did not know what to do.  I was 28.  I closed the book on Othello, went home, and cried.  My husband and I went around town and collected job applications to copy.  Over the next few weeks, I taught that group of students how to fill out job applications.  As a reward I took them to see a production of Romeo and Juliet. 

When it was time for my children to go to school we all applied to the same school, and all got in.  I worked at The Paideia School for 15 years before my stroke.  I was English teacher for only 2 years before I became the assistant headmaster.  My job as an administrator provided all sorts of exciting pieces, ranging from tours to Ireland to removing beads out of my son’s nose. 

My life with aphasia has taken some rocky turns.  I could write pages on just the rocky stuff.  For instance I can write but I cannot read what I just wrote.  But I can write.  I’ve written some pretty darn good poems.  Life is different.  What my husband and I are learning to appreciate is the difference.

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Jaqueline S. Laures-Gore Co-President

I became interested in aphasia when I was in high school and working as a nurses’ assistant in a long-term care facility. There was a wonderful gentleman there who had aphasia and struggled to communicate his needs to us. I became fascinated with aphasia and truly wanted to help those with aphasia to communicate. Since then I went on to get my Ph.D. in Communication Disorders. I’ve worked clinically as a speech-language pathologist for over ten years and currently am an Associate Professor in Communication Disorders at Georgia State University. At Georgia State University I teach classes about adults with communication disorders and I do research in this area.

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Alan Morris Treasurer and Secretary