COVID: A Corridor to Beginning by Tara Payor, Ph.D., all photos taken and provided by participants
In March 2020, our world halted. Entering March 2022, what have we learned from shutdowns? What opened because of closures? What previously shuttered parts of life are lit? A speech language pathologist, professional singer and pediatrician walk into a pandemic…
G.G. VANAELST A Speech Language Pathologist Speech language pathologist, co-owner of SpeechWorks and mother of four (ages 13, 16, 18 and 21), G.G. VanAelst thought she’d seen it all. Cue COVID-19. Learning how to support her own mental health needs became vital; she realized she needs people. Virtual meetings weren’t filling the interaction tank. TBPM: How has your workday changed throughout COVID-19’s course? G.G.V: Before COVID, I held back-to-back sessions inside pre-schools. When everything closed, our workload decreased by more than half. Most patients are younger than 4, so virtual visits weren’t viable. Now, some schools allow us with face shields—not ideal for speech therapy. I set up a home office, and we continue virtual offerings for families not yet comfortable face-to-face or who are quarantining.
TBPM: Over the last two years, was there an especially challenging aspect of your professional life? G.G.V: The period between shutdowns and SpeechWorks offering virtual care. I knew kids desperately needed services, but I couldn’t get to them.
TBPM: Did COVID cause a change that you’d like to see stay? G.G.V: Face shields and virtual options. Shields present challenges, but they also allow us to be cautious without cancelling appointments for fear of illness. Virtual enables continued services while patients travel or are well enough for therapy but too ill for school.
TBPM: What would you put in a time capsule for a speech language pathologist to open in 100 years and support his/her own mental health? G.G.V: A handwritten note sharing, “Find your people, find your niche and find time for breaks.”
TBPM: What’s your biggest takeaway from the pandemic? G.G.V: We can make things work. It takes f lexibility and acknowledging we hold varying thoughts, feelings and fears. More than ever, meet people where they are. The VanAelst family L to R: Cade (16), Sydney (21), Brian (husband), G.G., Brinley (13) and Eller y (18).
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TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2022
ROBYN LISTA A Professional Singer Renaissance woman Robyn Lista is a Registered Financial Professional at Raymond James, professional singer with the Phase5Band and a Pure Barre instructor. She’s also an active mom in the equestrian world as daughter, Addisyn (8), rides. Accustomed to being booked, changing paces throughout the pandemic ignited creativity and appreciation. Pacing shone a light on the need for both balance and mental health visits with a licensed professional. Practicing self-check-ins, forgiveness and gratitude daily outpaced pandemic stress. TBPM: How has your workday changed throughout COVID’s course? RL: With RJ, helping retirement age clients navigate Zoom was a funny challenge. With Phase5, everything was cancelled. Today, I’m thankful RJ is back to in-person meetings. Phase5 is busier than ever; 2023 is almost fully booked.
TBPM: Over the last two years, was there an especially challenging aspect of your professional life? RL: Not singing. Singing defines me. I have a newfound appreciation for the band.
TBPM: How has mental health played out across the pandemic? RL: I loved more family time but working from home while facilitating online learning was stressful. I’d wake anxious I’d fail. My husband, Corey, enjoyed working remotely; I need my coworkers. I’m appreciative we’re back to our normal. I’m re-learning how to practice patience and compassion with both myself and others. I’m grateful for my life, my people and my jobs.
TBPM: A friend says, “I don’t think the pandemic will ever end.” What’s your reply? RL: It’s here long term, but we’re nearing the end of this phase and adjusting to change. We’re more cautious, but we have more safety from treatments. We’ll move on.
