Bjorn This Way

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 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.

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4th Annual Fundraiser

Coming in 2025

Join us in advancing better access to speech-language pathology care at our annual online fundraiser as we celebrate the 3rd anniversary of our 501(c)(3) public charity, Bjorn This Way Inc. Your support in this fundraiser will directly benefit those who rely on assistance with voice, speech, and swallowing. Through online testimonials and inspiring performances, you’ll witness the tangible impact of your contribution. Together, let’s fund vital services for individuals in need and enhance someone’s ability to communicate and swallow, empowering them to fully engage in life. Join us online and be a catalyst for positive change!

Watch our Previous Annual Fundraisers

2022 Fundraiser Part 1: https://youtu.be/Bo4x6scDNCY

2022 Fundraiser Part 2: https://youtu.be/5BDk3yN4GVc

2024 Headlining Guests Coming Soon

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.

Bjorn This Way Impact Award

We are proud to recognize our 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.

2023 Recipients

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.

Edie R. Hapner, PhD, CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow is professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, co-director of the UAB Voice Center, and director of speech and hearing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Among her honors, Dr. Hapner was named the George W. Barber Jr., Foundation Endowed Professor in 2021, ASHA Fellow in 2019, Associate Fellow of the American Laryngological Association, and Distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of Practice. Dr. Hapner served on the ASHA Board of Directors from 2014 to 2016, was the ASHA Convention co-chair in 2020 and 2022, and served on the Coordinating Committee of Special Interest Group 3, Voice and Voice Disorders from 2006 to 2013. Dr. Hapner has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and six book chapters on voice and voice disorders, and she is the co-editor of Voice Therapy: Clinical Case Studies. She is the co-developer of Phonation Resistance Training Exercises (PhoRTE®), a systematic program of respiratory and phonatory overload to treat the aging voice.

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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.

Interested in Bjorn This Way Assistance?

Apply for financial assistance for speech-language pathology services. To be eligible for assistance, you must reside in California, Oregon, Washington, or Idaho. Submit your information to the form in the link below. Your personal data will be kept private and stored securely.

Apply Here

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.

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Donation Total: $50.00 One Time

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.