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The Aphasia Center at Russell Sage College will host its annual Moving Message Walk and Festival on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the college’s Albany campus, 140 New Scotland Ave., Albany. It is open to the public.
The event supports individuals living with aphasia and other neurogenic communication disorders, which affect a person’s ability to speak, read, and write.
The Moving Message began 15 years ago at The College of Saint Rose, when a stroke survivor and Neuro Services Program participant spent a year rebuilding physical strength for a one-mile community walk that was cancelled. Center Director Julie Hart, MS, CCC-SLP, suggested the center host its own walk instead.
“We named it the Moving Message because we want people to be moving and also paying attention to messages from clients that are placed throughout the route, like ‘Just let me get my message out’ or ‘Please don’t pretend to understand me,’” said Hart.
The event features a one-mile fundraising walk, music, and raffles. Vendors, including Aphasia Center participants and Speech-Language Pathology Professor Jack Pickering, will sell art, woodwork, lemonade, and photography.
At the heart of the afternoon are powerful speeches from individuals living with aphasia and other neurogenic communication disorders caused by stroke or brain injury.
This Year’s Speakers
- Tony Beza, a retired engineer who had a stroke after cardiac bypass surgery in December 2023. He has made steady progress despite being told at a year post-stroke that he would not improve any more.
- Linda Edmison, who is diagnosed with Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech. She will deliver her speech using a communication app called Speech Assistant. Thanks to voice-cloning technology, the audience will hear her words delivered in her own cloned voice.
- Susan Schmidt, who studied interior design at Russell Sage in the 1980s before earning an MBA and working at NYS Teachers Retirement. After experiencing a stroke at age 59, Susan has worked tirelessly to regain her speech.
The Moving Message Fund
The Moving Message Walk and Festival is the primary fundraiser for The Moving Message Fund. All proceeds directly support ongoing speech therapy, group therapy, communication devices, e-readers, and communication apps that facilitate quality of life for stroke and brain injury survivors (Long-term services and assistive devices are often not covered by insurance.)
This year’s fundraising efforts are anchored by a $10,000 donation from John Walden in memory of his late wife, Ruth Walden. Ruth, a retired social worker who dedicated her career to assisting disabled children and their families, attended the Women’s Group at The Aphasia Center for two years after her stroke.
Students from Russell Sage’s Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program, as well as the Future Educators Club — which is setting up a children’s area — Student Nursing Association, Occupational Therapy student organization, and the Expressive Arts in Mental Health program are also volunteering at The Moving Message.
About The Aphasia Center at Russell Sage College
The Aphasia Center at Russell Sage College provides a dedicated space for individuals living with aphasia and neurogenic communication disorders. The center offers day programming, support groups, and care partner resources to enhance wellness at any stage of recovery. The center also serves as an active learning site for students working toward a degree in Speech-Language Pathology or other health sciences. Learn more at Sage.edu/Aphasia-Center or contact Director Julie Hart at hartj4@sage.edu.