Winnipeg, Manitoba
Year 2 Placement

My first time leaving the province of Ontario was a very memorable experience in more ways than one. Not only due to the clinical opportunity of working within the SLP services hub for the majority of Manitoba, but also because of the rich culture and history Winnipeg offers. Despite visiting Winnipeg during the coldest time of the year, I was still able to explore much of what the city had to offer on the weekends. My placement was split between two very experienced clinicians, Jessica Danforth and Heather Jacobson, who introduced me to the ins and outs of SLP outpatient services. 

At DLC, I had the chance to assist clients from all different backgrounds who were referred to SLP for a variety of reasons including fluency, dysphagia, aphasia, and dysarthria. Having the chance to practice assessment, treatment, and counselling opened my eyes to which SLP disciplines interested me most. Additionally, I had the opportunity to observe the inner workings of the Motor Neuron Disorders (MND) Clinic at DLC. The MND Clinic provided a consultative approach to care for residents of Manitoba and North-Western Ontario who have a diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Kennedy’s Disease. Here, I gained a new appreciation for client education rather than treatment, and this consultative model informed clients about the progressive impacts of ALS on speech/swallowing. 

Most of my weekends were filled with friends and family visits where I got to experience what Winnipeg had to offer. I attended a couple of Winnipeg Jets games, saw polar bears and harbour seals at the outdoor Assiniboine zoo, visited the Canadian Human Rights Museum, tasted some delicious food at the Fork Market, skated on the Red River, and explored the Festival du Voyageur. However, my most notable experience while in Winnipeg had to have been ice climbing. Despite the cold weather and the dreadful wind at times, I would not have changed my placement one bit. The knowledge I acquired while at DLC will be carried with me forever in my clinical toolbox. I would like to thank my clinical educators at DLC, the SLP department at DLC, as well as Talia and Susan from the clinical education team for organizing this enriching learning opportunity.