Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Radcliffe.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In prayer one morning, I gave thanks for the work that I am able to do, the lives that I help to encourage and I asked to be guided to the best way to encourage the most people every day. I believed on that day I was being “told” to open a business where people could find me. I obeyed the calling. I started the business in 2010 and have enjoyed every single minute of owning Agape ever since. I have met and worked with so many delightful families! I have encouraged communication in its simplest form to its most advanced form and everything in between. I have the privilege of working with children and young adults with fluency issues, speech issues, language delays, reading comprehension difficulties, etc. I am lucky to be able to build a relationship with my clients and help them build their confidence and strength in their weak areas. How many people can say they LOVE to go to work each day? I can and I am thankful every single day!
Today, we have three therapists who see, on average, around 65 kids per week. We also have two certified Music Therapists at our location who LOVE what they do also. At our office, we all get to share laughter and joy celebrating the triumphs and progress made daily here. What a wonderful blessing!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Owning a business definitely has its ups and downs. For me personally, it has been a true learning experience in every sense. I have learned along the journey to do almost everything more efficiently as time goes on. I have also learned a lot about myself and how many balls I am able to juggle daily, weekly, monthly, etc. Most of the struggles I have experienced have been beyond my control (insurance billing issues). Each struggle however, has helped me examine myself a little closer and helped me to grow a little stronger. Overall, the business continues to thrive, maybe in large part because of the positive energy and joy felt here, maybe because we genuinely love what we do here, maybe because of God’s grace.
Agape Speech Therapy – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Agape Speech Therapy specializes in helping to advance communication expression, improve receptive and expressive language delays, ease articulation deficits, improve fluency issues, increasing reading comprehension skills and increase the ability to focus/answer questions quickly and easily.
We are known for helping our clients improve their abilities in articulating, processing information and executing necessary life skills.
We are most proud of our immensely positive energy, our loving environment, the sweet families we are blessed to work with and the improvements made in the lives of our clients.
What sets us apart from others is that we love coming to work here. None of us feel like we just have “a job”. We all have a passion for what we do – and it shows!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proudest moment was when a young man (17 years old) arrived here in a wheelchair. This young man had Cerebral Palsy and was very ataxic ~ his limbs were straight and stiff. He was unable to speak one word, but he had a twinkle in his eye. I introduced him to an Augmentative Communication Device that he could control with his eyes. Within moments, he was answering questions and making jokes with his mother that had everyone in the room absolutely amazed at how easily he was communicating! The entire room was filled with laughter – him included! It was a powerful moment, to realize this young man was trapped in a body he could not control but he had so much to say!! It was incredibly moving – one that changed me deeply – for the rest of my career. I look at everyone now, for what they CAN do – if given the opportunity and the right tools!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.agapespeech.com
- Phone: 770-776-6013
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