By TIM DAVIS

Star-Tribune Editor

DANVILLE — When Wray Ware of Mount Hermon returned home from the hospital after having a stroke in 2010, he couldn’t read or spell simple words.

The stroke affected the part of his brain that controls long-term memory, including the ability to recognize language.

“I couldn’t even spell ‘cat,’” said the 67-year-old retired federal probation officer.

To help with his recovery, Ware turned to Danville Speech and Hearing Center and executive director Betty Marshall.

“She helped me an awful lot,” he said, noting progress was frustrating at first. “At one time, I didn’t think it was going to happen. She is very caring and very patient.”

Now, a year later, Ware’s word recognition and comprehension have improved to the point that he can read newspaper headlines and short stories.

Ware’s wife, Pat, said his recovery has been slow but steady.

“He really had a long way to come, and Betty really stuck with him,” she said. “She never let him give up. She just kept encouraging him.”

Elizabeth Turpin’s 9-year-old daughter Olivia has been going to Danville Speech and Hearing Center about four years.

Olivia had an articulation disorder when she began kindergarten and had trouble pronouncing “ph” and “sh” sounds.

In addition, she sometimes mixed up words, saying “mower lawn” for “lawnmower,” said her mother.

Olivia, now in the third grade at Southside Elementary School, goes to speech therapy once a week. Her articulation disorder has been resolved, but she’s still working on the language problem.

“She loves going,” said Turpin, who teaches second grade at Southside. “They have helped her in school tremendously with her reading comprehension and listening skills.”

Olivia is an honor roll student, added her mom, who highly recommends Danville Speech and Hearing Center.

“I’d like to make sure people are aware of how much it can help children,” she said.

Bonnie Nance also recommends Danville Speech and Hearing Center.

Her mother, Ruby Hamlett of Danville, began “swallow therapy” after food began entering her lungs and caused infection and severe coughing.

 Doctors inserted a feeding tube and Hamlett, who recently turned 91, was put on a liquid diet.

Home therapy helped strengthen her throat muscles, and Hamlett was eventually able to remove the feeding tube.

“Now she can eat anything she wants,” said Nance. “This was a real success.”

Many more also sing the praises of Danville Speech and Hearing Center, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Started in 1961 as a community project by Danville Jaycees, the center has helped more than 5,000 adults and children over the past five decades.

The center provides in-office and homebound screening, therapy and treatment for a variety of speech, hearing, and language disorders.

Screenings at childcare centers and preschools help identify early problems with hearing, speech and language.

“Our best preventive measure is to catch them early,” said Marshall, a licensed speech and language pathologist who has been executive director since 1977.

In addition to Marshall, the nationally certified center employs one other speech pathologist, Renee Arnn of Dry Fork.

Other employees include office manager Tonya Pleasant, part-time office assistant Dana Hardy and part-time insurance clerk Joann Whitlow.

A not-for-profit organization, the center is a United Way partner but is largely self-supporting. It accepts private insurance as well as Medicare and Medicaid.

“We’re not going to turn someone away who needs us,” said Marshall. “We’re going to find a way to get them help.”

The center also receives funding from the Womack Foundation and Community Foundation of the Dan River Region as well as memorial gifts.

Fund-raisers, like a recent “basket bingo” and golf tournament in June help, too.

The center is governed by a 13-member, all-volunteer board of directors.

Marshall is proud of the 50-year milestone.

 “The biggest thing is for people to recognize that we’re here,” the director said. “Our goal is to continue to be here as long as the community needs us.”

Located on Wilson Street, Danville Speech and Hearing Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, call 793-8255.

tim.davis@chathamstartribune.com

434-432-2791