Bjorn This Way Inc.
A Public Charity
Mission and Vision
Voice, speech, and swallowing disorders impact the lives of millions of people. The mission of our public charity Bjorn This Way Inc. is to fund speech pathology services for people in need to empower them to communicate, socialize, and work. Our vision is for all people to participate in life as fully as possible.
2nd Annual Fundraiser
September 29, 2023 | 5:00 PM Pacific Time | Free Online Event
Registration Link: https://streamyard.com/watch/3hQJbzappFjs
Help continue a movement toward better access to speech-language pathology care. Commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the 501(c)(3) Bjorn This Way Inc. public charity and improve someone’s communication and swallowing. This fundraiser will help people who need support with voice, speech, and swallowing. Join us online to hear impact testimonials and performances in support of funding services for people in need, to empower them to communicate, socialize, work, and participate in life as fully as possible.
2023 Headlining Guests
Avery Dixon is a saxophone extraordinaire, America’s Got Talent Finalist, America’s Got Talent All-Star finalist, and an advocate against bullying. He was born prematurely, leading to medical conditions including a Posterior Keyhole Aperture (hole in his vocal cord), which affects his vocal cords and makes his voice raspy. Despite his medical complications, he beats all odds by playing the saxophone! Avery is the founder of “GraceNotes & Totes (https://www.averydixongracenotes.com/),” a charity that provides NICU families of preemie babies with essential supplies such as preemie diapers, wipes, clothes, and blankets to Emory Decatur Hospital.
John Hendrickson is a staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of “Life on Delay: Making Peace With a Stutter,” a reported memoir that grew out of his Atlantic feature “What Joe Biden Can’t Bring Himself to Say,” which was read by more than 2 million people and named one of the best stories of 2019 by Longform. John has spoken about politics, journalism, disability, and other topics on CNN, MSNBC, NPR, PBS, and at colleges and universities across the country. He will join us to read an excerpt from his book.
What will your donation do?
- Support one session of therapy and start changing a child’s speech (value $145.00)
- Support four sessions of therapy and change a teacher’s voice (value $580.00)
- Support an evaluation and four therapy sessions and change an adult’s swallowing (value $900.00)
Donations to our 501(c)(3) public charity during the online fundraising event are tax-deductible.
This Online Event is Free to Attend. Donations Accepted.
Registration Link: https://streamyard.com/watch/3hQJbzappFjs
Bjorn This Way Impact Award
This year we are proud to recognize our first annual recipient(s) of the Bjorn This Way Impact Award. The Impact Award honors individual(s) who have contributed significantly to clinical care and through their efforts are making a substantial impact on the lives of those with speech-language pathology needs.
About Bjorn
Bjorn endured much in his 23 years, especially trying to be understood with speech that was not always clear. Yet Bjorn’s patience, courage, and determination allowed him to define his own style of communication for expressing himself. He was always thoughtful with a sense of humor and to the point. He lit up when discussing cars and sports. He became savvy with his text-to-speech app. With speech therapy, Bjorn’s confidence and independence blossomed through the journey of learning how to better advocate for himself and his communication.
Bjorn’s legacy will give opportunities to others who need support for their communication in all facets of life.
Make a difference with a charitable gift
Make a donation to Bjorn This Way Inc. that will help us increase access to compassionate and effective speech pathology support and improve the quality of life for people with voice, speech, and swallowing disorders and differences.
Directors & Officers
Aaron Ziegler, PhD, CCC-SLP
President and Director
Sven Burke, PhD
Vice President and Director
Audrey May, BS
Treasurer and Director
Meryl Kaufman, MEd, CCC-SLP, BCS-S
Secretary and Director
Peter A Burke, PhD
Director
Diane B Scott, PhD
Director
Aaron N Pham, PharmD, BCOP
Director
Jennifer Gill, MS, CCC-SLP
Director
Bjorn This Way, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under the regulations of the United States Internal Revenue Service. All contributions to the public charity are tax-deductible to the extent provided by US law.