Beyond the Words: Exploring the Edges of Language and Life is a debut collection of nonfiction short stories by Andrea Durbin. It offers poignant glimpses into the daily life of a speech-language pathologist working in a nursing home. Durbin explores the humanity in these often hidden and overlooked places through stories of residents living with conditions like aphasia, dysphagia, and dementia, as well as family members caring for their loved ones during this difficult phase of life. Written with insight and compassion, Beyond the Words takes us behind closed doors, into the patient’s rooms, and into the heart of these human experiences.
Andrea Durbin is a speech-language pathologist and former writer and editor for arts and culture magazines, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions. Andrea earned a master of arts degree in communication in 2009 and a master of science in speech-language pathology in 2021. Hailing from New York's Hudson Valley, she now resides in Rockville, Maryland, where she can be found enjoying art museums and nature trails, lavishing attention on her dog, Sasha, and striving to appreciate the preciousness of each moment.
"A poignant collection depicting the shared human experience of ill health and old age." --Independent Book Review
"These stories are powerfully human and transcend mere words on the page. Durbin’s full use of emotions captures the constant daily struggles of both patients and caregivers and gives plenty of room to celebrate the small victories and rays of hope." --US Review of Books
"A book for those who chose the field of caregiving and for those who suddenly find themselves in the role of caregiver. These stories take only a moment to read but stay in your heart and mind for much longer. I highly recommended it for speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, and for all who care for others in the various stages of life and death.”
—Andrea Atticks, M.A., CCC-SLP, Division Director,
Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, Loyola University Maryland
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