As Stroke Awareness Month continues, a Tulsa speech therapist is shedding light on the recovery process and the critical role speech-language pathologists play in post-stroke care.

Recognizing stroke damage in communication and swallowing

Speech-language pathologist Joanie Wells with Ascension St. John Medical Center said that one of the first signs of a stroke may involve difficulty with communication or swallowing.

“Some similar things that I’m looking for as a speech therapist in a patient who’s had a stroke could be a deficit in a patient’s ability to speak or voice or communicate in any way,” Wells said. “Receptive and expressive language can be impacted. Cognitive communication skills such as problem solving or attention skills can be impaired and very commonly trouble swallowing as well is a deficit that I would look for.”

Wells said these symptoms can show up right away.

“It can be pretty immediate,” she said. “Sometimes changes in speech or trouble swallowing, for example, are some of the first symptoms that can let someone know that they should be concerned they may be having a stroke.”

Recovery often begins in the hospital and continues afterward

Once a patient is diagnosed with stroke-related deficits, a speech-language pathologist steps in to begin treatment, often starting during hospitalization and extending into other levels of care.

“We evaluate, provide treatments and even sometimes compensatory strategies for patients that are struggling with any of those deficits in their speech and their swallowing,” Wells said. “And it’s important to know that that rehab starts in the hospital setting, but it can continue after the hospitalization, such as outpatient rehab or skilled nursing, different levels of care after the stroke as well. People can continue to make progress.”

Trouble swallowing is a common but overlooked problem

Wells said one of the most overlooked areas of stroke recovery involves swallowing, which speech therapists are trained to address.

“I think a lot of people are not familiar with a speech therapist being the person that would provide assistance for patients having trouble swallowing after stroke,” she said. “And that’s like one of the most common services that we do, especially right after stroke, because it can be so common to have that trouble with swallowing.”

Long-term outcomes depend on time and treatment

Although stroke recovery can take time and varies by patient, Wells said treatment helps specialists understand what progress can be expected.

“So really we just see how patients progress over the course of treatment in the hospital and then afterwards as well,” she said. “And then with time we can kind of see what kind of gains they’re able to make.”

With the series tied at two apiece, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets squared off for a Game 5 battle in Oklahoma City. It was another competitive battle that ended in a comeback victory in favor of the Thunder, winning 112-105.

The duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray was in the spotlight of this matchup, combining for 72 points. Despite having one of the best defenses in the NBA, there was nothing Oklahoma City could do to shut Denver’s star duo down.

A quick start for the Thunder was quickly answered by Jamal Murray and the Nuggets in the first half. Everything was clicking for Oklahoma City to open the game, going up by eight points early. Murray, Nikola Jokic and company quickly led their squad back to erase that early deficit.

Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got out to a brutal start for such an important game. He started going 2-for-9 from the field with six points, struggling to see his shots fall. Luckily for him, his All-Star companion, Jalen Williams, was hot. He opened the game with 11 points on a much nicer 50% percentage, but that didn’t stop the Nuggets from creating a respectable lead.

With seconds waning off the clock in the second quarter, the lead for the Denver Nuggets was increasing. Jokic and Murray were scoring with ease and the lead eventually ballooned to 11 points. The Thunder needed a response to close out the half anywhere on the roster and luckily, that happened.

Rebounding was an issue for the Thunder, losing that stat battle 49-43. They allowed 16 offensive rebounds compared to their eight, one area where Oklahoma City left some points on the board.

Buckets from Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace brought the deficit back to within two points heading into halftime. It was an important late scoring run for the Thunder that made things much closer going into the final 24 minutes.

Jokic was a clear standout in this game at every point. He finished the night with 44 points, 15 rebounds and five assists on 17-for-25 shooting. He was dominant on the offensive end and put up a vintage stat line, reminiscent of his past MVP seasons.

For the Thunder, Gilgeous-Alexander came up huge. He finished the game with 31 points on 12-for-23 shooting, adding six rebounds and seven assists. Gilgeous-Alexander did everything he could to help his team win, contributing on defense as well.

The start of the third quarter was simply a disaster for the Thunder. The same Denver duo was cooking on offense and there was nothing the OKC defense could do to stop it. Jokic and Murray were proving why they are two of the best playoff players in the league with their overall performances.

Oklahoma City responded slightly, but still trailed by eight points heading into the final quarter. They were going to need their stars, including Williams and Holmgren, to step up big down the stretch.

Williams and Holmgren were far too quiet throughout most of this game. After an 11-point start for Williams, he went scoreless through the beginning of the fourth quarter. He did hit some clutch shots down the stretch, however, finishing the game with 18 points. Holmgren finished the night with 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting,

While those two struggled, guard Alex Caruso continued his offensive and defensive contributions off the bench for the Thunder. He finished the game with 13 points and four rebounds on 4-for-10 shooting, making his presence felt while guarding on the other end of the floor.

In need of an offensive spark, the Oklahoma City Thunder found sanctuary in guard Lu Dort. He knocked down three straight triples for the Thunder to bring them within two points halfway through the fourth quarter. It gave Paycom Arena energy, as well as the team, allowing them to close the gap and lock down on defense.

Some big triples from Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander, along with good defense in the final minute, helped the Thunder earn the tough victory.

An even more important Game 6 tips off 7:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, May 15 on the road in Denver.

Nearly every Oklahoman has a story about the Batfish. For decades, the USS Batfish has anchored itself in the hearts of families, children, veterans and history lovers across our state. It’s more than a historic vessel ― it’s a tourism asset that has drawn visitors from across the country and served as a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifice of our military service members. Preserving the Batfish is not just about protecting a landmark; it’s about ensuring future generations understand the sacrifices made by those who helped shape Oklahoma and our nation.

The Batfish is no ordinary exhibit. This World War II submarine is a national treasure, known for accomplishing an extraordinary feat ― sinking three enemy submarines in just 76 hours. That achievement made the Batfish legendary in naval history and helped shift the tide of war in the Pacific. After the war, the submarine found its permanent home in Muskogee, where it quickly became one of Oklahoma’s most beloved and unique historical attractions.

For years, the Batfish served as an immersive museum experience. Visitors walked its narrow passageways, stood in its control room and gained a visceral appreciation for the bravery of those who served. But that experience has been on hold since 2019, when severe flooding damaged and displaced the vessel. Without urgent action, this iconic symbol of military valor risks being lost forever.

Thankfully, we have a clear and promising path forward. A plan is in place to relocate the Batfish to Port Muskogee’s Three Forks Harbor and incorporate it into the forthcoming Oklahoma War Memorial & Museum. This visionary project not only ensures the Batfish’s restoration and preservation ― it transforms it into the centerpiece of a new, premier cultural destination that will honor veterans, educate visitors and boost Oklahoma’s tourism economy for generations to come.

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Tourism is one of Oklahoma’s fastest-growing and most impactful industries, contributing a record $11.8 billion in visitor spending in 2022. Before the floods, the Batfish welcomed tens of thousands of visitors annually who supported local restaurants, hotels and businesses. With restoration and strategic placement near the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center, the Batfish will help establish Muskogee as a vibrant cultural and historical hub.

Yet even more than the economic return, this effort is about respect ― for the men and women who wore the uniform, and for future generations who deserve to learn from their stories. When a student steps aboard the Batfish, they’re not just seeing a submarine; they’re experiencing history, understanding sacrifice and drawing inspiration.

Together, we can protect a legacy, grow our economy and invest in a future that celebrates the strength, sacrifice, and spirit of Oklahoma.

Sterling Zearley is the executive director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.