For years people have encouraged me to start a blog. Honestly, it took me so long to start because I really just didn’t think I had enough to share. As time has gone by, I have realized I have plenty to share and through this blog I hope to inspire, educate, and entertain those that choose to read it.
Let’s start with the basics. I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend, a leader and last, but certainly not least, a Speech Language Pathologist. My name is Keri Jones. I live in rural Eastern Washington in a small town home to Washington State University (Go Cougs!). I earned my bachelor degree in Speech & Hearing Sciences from Washington State University and continued on to earn my Master of Arts degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences at WSU as well.
I have been a speech language pathologist for over 20 years. I have provided speech therapy in schools, private clinics, home health visits, tele-therapy, a birth-to-3 center, in a rehabilitation center, and most recently at a critical access hospital. I have provided speech therapy for people of all ages - from toddlers to seniors. I have treated all sorts of temporary and permanent issues. I have seen it all. My favorite part of being a SLP is making connections, sometimes unexpected, with people. I’ve met some pretty cool people in my career, and what a tremendous blessing to be able to help them in some way. I love what I do.
I’m positive many other SLP’s have had very similar careers in this field. Some days it’s very, very difficult and sometimes the simplest of wins can make it all worth it. I live in a world of playing games, reading books, practicing sounds, looking in mirrors, finding new ways and fun ways to keep my clients engaged. Each and every day it is something new but something familiar, something challenging but a mountain worth climbing. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Why should you continue reading this blog? Well, I believe I have an interesting story to share. The blog will provide information and inspiration for both speech therapists and patients and their families. My hope is that you, the reader, will be inspired to follow your dreams AND pursue those 3 am ideas that pop in your head. What makes my story as a SLP unique, you’ll just have to follow along to find out!
Take care my friends,
Keri