Biographies

Myron (Mike) and Elaine Adler, Founders

Mike and Elaine Adler are indeed examples of the American success story. Their outstanding achievements, both in the community and in business, have been admired by all who make their acquaintance.

Born in New York City, both Mike and Elaine attended and graduated from New York University. Married in 1949, Mike and Elaine decided to launch Myron Manufacturing, a company which began as a plastics manufacturer and later developed into a mail order company. The business continues to be highly successful with over 1000 employees around the world.

In 1982, Elaine started her own consumer mail order business, Comfortably Yours, with a product line of items made especially to make one's life easier. She sold the business in 1994 and returned to Myron Manufacturing to oversee management.

Both Mike and Elaine are active with volunteering commitments. Mike served on the Board of Directors for the Business Mailers Association and United Jewish Appeal. Mike also served on the Executive Board of Hackensack University Medical Center and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Aphasia Association. Elaine serves on the Arnold P. Gold Foundation for Humanism in Medicine Board of Directors, the Community Resource Council Board of Directors and Ramapo College Board of Governors among many other organizations. Mike and Elaine have received distinguished recognition, honors and awards from a variety of organizations to which they dedicate their time. Most recently they were honored by the National Aphasia Association 2004 Advocacy Award. The 2004 Advocacy Award recognizes the efforts that the Center has made for people with aphasia and the community and was presented at the annual benefit on April 22, 2004 at the Harvard Club in New York.

In 1993, Mike suffered a stroke after bypass surgery, leaving him with aphasia (the inability to speak). Mike and Elaine researched speech pathology clinics in Oakland, CA, Tucson, Arizona, Toronto, Canada and London, England. They found, while there were many clinics, there were no support and communication centers where people with aphasia and their caregivers could meet, comfortably communicate and get on with their lives. Mike and Elaine successfully opened the doors to the Adler Aphasia Center in August of 2003 and have found that it has been one of their most rewarding achievements.

Karen Tucker, Executive Director

Karen Tucker, executive director, is responsible for day to day operations management. She brings with her 30 years experience in geriatrics and social services. At Adler Aphasia Center, Ms. Tucker supports the Center in educating the community about aphasia. She is a motivating force in building and sustaining membership recruitment and involvement. Ms. Tucker has been imperative to the development of the Center's advisory board, programs and activities. She uses her expertise to oversee all of the day-to-day activities and supervise the programs to ensure that the members get all that they can from what the Center has to offer. Prior to joining Adler Aphasia Center, Ms. Tucker was executive director at 55 Kip Center, which was Bergen County's first nationally accredited senior citizen center. There she developed fund raising strategies and advocated on behalf of members at the local, state and federal level. Upon being introduced to Mike and Elaine Adler at an aphasia support group meeting at 55 Kip Center, Ms. Tucker was offered the opportunity to help the Adlers develop a center that would provide support and understanding for people whose lives have been touched by aphasia. Ms. Tucker was elected in 2000 to serve four years as Treasurer at the National Institute of Senior Centers. Ms. Tucker received her Bachelor of Arts from Montclair State University, her Masters in Gerontological Services Administration from the New School for Social Research and also received a Certificate in Fund-Raising from Kean College 1994.

Testimonials

Oscar Rovina, concert violinist with aphasia

"After my stroke in May of 2003, I couldn't even say 'wife' when I was asked who Ruth was. Since coming to the Adler Aphasia Center, I have learned a great amount - more than I ever imagined possible - and I'm holding onto and using what I'm learning. I want to be sitting here every hour. The Center makes me want to learn more and more every day. I have something for my future now."

Ruth Rovina, caregiver

"At Adler Aphasia Center, my husband can do no wrong, which makes it wonderful. This is the only place Oscar, a New York Philharmonic Violinist, feels comfortable, where he is actually chatty. Everywhere else, he'll only say the absolute basics. And for the first time since his stroke, he speaks on the phone to our children and grandchildren. The Adler Aphasia Center has changed our lives."

Myrna Schaffer, volunteer

"I came here thinking I'd help others, but I'm also helping myself. The Center is teaching me about what's happening in a world that no one really knows about. When I hear them laughing during an activity, I stop whatever it is I am doing to join them."

Peter Pontillo, retired carpenter with aphasia

"I had a stroke seven years ago and I could not talk at all for a year after. I went to the hospital and they helped me to talk a little, but not enough. My wife's friend recommended the Adler Aphasia Center. Now, three times a week, I take a two hour trip each way to be here. It has done me a world of good. I am able to get out and talk to people - people who understand and support me. Adler Aphasia Center is a very good place."

Ed Van Ostenbridge, retired service station owner with aphasia

"I had a stroke five years ago and a speech therapist at the rehabilitation Center told me I had aphasia. It was the first time I heard the word aphasia. A friend told my wife about the Adler Aphasia Center. We came here and my life has completely changed. For the first time in years, I can talk to my children and grandchildren. I have new friends my age here who understand me and have the same condition I have. Life is easier now."

Audrey Van Ostenbridge, caregiver

"I had a stroke before my husband which left me unable to walk. It didn't affect my ability to communicate, like my husband's stroke did. My husband couldn't speak well and when he did, it was hard to understand him. We were both frustrated. I knew I could take care of my husband, but didn't have the tools and insight to really support someone with aphasia. Since joining the Adler Aphasia Center, our lives are so much easier. The Center is wonderful and we love the camaraderie of the members. There are lots of fellas for Ed to talk and joke with. And I am not alone anymore since I started going to the Center's caregiver support groups. Our children and grandchildren say it is so great to see their Ed more confident, more talkative. My daughter says, 'I got my dad back!'"

Jack Kelly, retired Distribution Manager with aphasia

"It's hard for me to talk, but I laugh a lot now. I have buddies here my age who understand me and we have a good time. I couldn't read when I first came to the Center; now I can read the paper on my own."

Lee Kelly, caregiver

"Adler Aphasia Center is amazing. The progress my husband has made since becoming a member is phenomenal. While he doesn't speak as much as he'd like yet, he can read and communicate so much better. He's become much more independent since coming to the Center and I attribute that to the encouraging, talented and supportive staff. My husband's learning invaluable life skills and has a wonderful time with his new friends at the Center, friends who understand him and are in the same boat. Here he can let loose and everyone accepts him. This is our home away from home. The Adler Aphasia Center brings out the best in us all."

Elizabeth Bellis, William Paterson Univ. Communications Disorder graduate student

"As a graduate student, I'm required to work with people with communication disorders under supervision. I came to the Adler Aphasia Center to meet my requirements, but have found that I am getting as much out of my work here as I am giving. The Center is truly a great place. Meeting people with aphasia has given me a wonderful opportunity to see just how different aphasia is from other communication disorders I have studied. The Center provides its members with a comfortable place to communicate. That's just so important."

Ginette Abbanat CCC-SLP, Communications Coach, Adler Aphasia Center

"I first walked through the Adler Aphasia Center's doors in November 2003 to attend a seminar by Audrey Holland. As a speech therapist who has worked with aphasic individuals for many years and the daughter of an aphasic, I was thrilled to find a place that allows the person and their loved ones to feel "a part of life again" despite their communication deficit. I began volunteering at the center in January and came on board as an employee in March 2004, while continuing to practice home care therapy. Not a day goes by that I don't leave the center having witnessed something inspirational. The camaraderie, friendships between people from all walks of life and incredible encouragement the members give each other is like nothing I've ever witnessed in other environments with aphasics. Only in a social group situation could this happen between people who all share the same experience: aphasia. There are occasional tears, but much more laughter. I feel privileged to be able to watch these individuals enrich each other's lives and thank the Adlers for their vision, devotion and generosity that has changed the lives of so many."