Smarties, we’re thrilled to bring back our Smarty Mom series and today we sit down with Lori Kury, the “brains” behind BrainStorm Cognitive Wellness & Speech Therapy.
We couldn’t be more proud of this smart{y} and driven woman. Not only did she set out to start her own business, which is often a daunting task, she launched it right in the middle of a pandemic. We applaud that level of dedication and determination.
Lori has 29 years of experience as a speech language pathologist. She has worked in a variety of settings including: hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private schools providing speech and language therapy. Lori is passionate about improving communication and cognition in children, teenagers and adults with neurologic disorders such as head trauma, post concussion syndrome, language learning disorders and dysphagia.
Smarties, meet Lori Kury!
Lori Kury’s Stats:
Mom of/Married to:
I have been in Charlotte since 1992 minus a four year stint in Nashville, TN. I am married to Dan Weisgarber (we are actually newlyweds!). I have two children, a 20 year old son, Drew, who is a sophomore at Auburn University and an almost 18 year old daughter, Allie, who is graduating from Covenant Day School in May. She will head to Auburn in August to join her brother! WAR EAGLE. My husband, Dan, has a daughter, Anna (21), who is a junior at UNCW and son, Zach (19), who is a freshman at ECU. They are all great kids! We are blessed.
Background:
I have a Masters Degree in Speech Pathology (undergrad at ECU and graduate school at JMU.). I grew up in a small town in Ohio, but my parents are from Charlotte (dad) and Huntersville (mom). I have one older sister who went to UNC. As children of “Southern parents”, we were encouraged to go to school in the south! We all worked our way back to NC over the years. I consider Charlotte home.
Tell us about BrainStorm.
BrainStorm Cognitive Wellness & Speech Therapy specializes in providing treatment for cognitive-communication disorders in children, adolescents, and adults. This includes general speech and language disorders, but is so much more. I specialize in working with those who have difficulty with cognitive tasks that may include: attention, memory, insight, judgement, organization, orientation, language processing speed, problem solving, reasoning, executive functions and metacognition.
My practice also treats: articulation, feeding, and language disorders. We see stroke patients, and treat pediatric and adult swallowing disorders in addition to Parkinson’s, and other neurogenic communication disorders.
What inspired you to start your own practice?
Well, 29 years in the medical industry began to wear me down. I unfortunately saw firsthand how the care I wanted to give as a therapist was limited by productivity standards demanded by hospitals and clinics. I was seeing up to 11 patients a day with no breaks, no time to plan therapy, no time to properly document/research, talk to doctors and/or teachers, or educate parents. I was heading down the path of “burnout” which happens to so many speech, occupational, and physical therapists in a setting like I was working in. I was exhausted, and unable to see the changes I wanted with my patients who deserved so much more than I could give. To top it off, at the end of the day there was nothing left to give my family. I had never thought of owning my own practice, but dreamed of a setting that would allow me to make a difference in others lives. I have always loved the medical aspect of my career field, and I guess I had it stuck in my head that I had to be connected to a hospital to see and treat the patients I loved the most. But the burnout was setting in, and I had to make a change. I literally was becoming sick and unhealthy and was not able to “practice what I preached”. So it was make a change or leave the profession…I was blessed to have supporters on my side who nudged me to “take the leap, and the net will appear”. And here I am…6 months into private practice started In the middle of a pandemic!
Craziest part about starting your own business during a pandemic?
Well, of course trying to do speech with children with a mask on! It’s been a scary time. People are not getting out and doing things that are crucial because they are afraid! Teletherapy has been a lifesaver for our business but it has it’s limitations. To be honest with you, my practice in SouthPark is so much safer than working in the hospital because there is usually just me and the family I am treating. We are not letting others hang out in the waiting room, and the volume served is much smaller. We are following all guidelines for safety, and I feel very lucky to have completed my COVID vaccine series.
What types of services do you offer?
I have been very fortunate to have a wide variety of experience throughout my career, so there is not much I haven’t seen or treated. I am very comfortable working with infants through geriatrics. I really love variety. My niche is working with those (adults, adolescents and children) who have a need for cognitive therapy from a learning disability (developmental delay, ADHD, Dyslexia, reading comprehension disorder, etc.), post concussive syndrome (sports or accident), traumatic brain injury/brain tumor, or stroke. I am also comfortable with infant feeding disorders, and young children who are delayed in talking.
Tell us about yoga therapy and anxiety?
Well, who isn’t anxious today?! I have been involved in teaching fitness as a second career (began this at 16 years old), so I am keenly aware of how exercise and healthy eating impacts our brain. I have been able to see a need in my patients that overlaps with therapy and exercise. I am loving blending my two passions, fitness/and cognitive therapy. You can’t have one without the other. When your cognitive functioning is not up to par, anxiety levels increase…Anxiety is caused from our lack of ability to control a situation. So much of the foundation of yoga, the practice, the breath, and the movement will decrease the anxiety. When the anxiety is eliminated (or reduced), we are able to use cognitive strategies to help us function in school, work, and life better! It’s a win/win.
I am very concerned for our teens today. There is so much pressure on grades, friends, college preparation, social media, etc. that these kids are drowning just to survive…then you throw them in the midst of a pandemic. My training as a yoga instructor, certified fitness/cycle instructor, and prior background as a personal trainer blended with my profession as a speech therapist has brought about a passion in treating cognitive disorders holistically…spirit mind and body! That is what I want to share the most. Our teens are our future and they need a toolbox to manage stress in this crazy word. All kids, despite learning differences, deserve the chance to be happy and successful!
Moving onto family stuff…
What’s your favorite thing about raising a family here?
Although I am on the cusp of “empty nesting”, I have loved raising my kids in Charlotte. Their father and I have a great relationship. We were blessed to find Covenant Day School. It has been a sweet spot for our family, and our kids have made life long friends from kindergarten through high school. Of course being in Charlotte, you can’t beat the weather! Being between the mountains and the beach is the best of both worlds. My sister raised her son in Davidson. Our kids grew up together and also had their grandparents close by in their lives. I think family being close is the best part of raising our kids here.
Favorite take-out spot?
Oh this is hard!!!! Probably New Zealand Cafe, sushi!
Favorite sweet treat in CLT?
Have to say I LOVE Nothing Bundt Cakes!!!! YUM!
Favorite thing to do with your fam outside?
The boat on the lake Norman…can the warm weather hurry up!!!!!
I wish someone told me sooner about…
As a teenager, I wish I would have known what “anxiety” was and how to deal with it effectively. I wish that I would have known that I was OK just as I was. I was too busy comparing myself to others. My favorite saying to my kids is “stay in your own lane”. I wish I would have!!! I will say, though, that I have learned so much through my experiences and now it’s my time to pass that on to others!
You can find BrainStorm Cognitive Wellness & Speech Therapy here:
6827 Fairview Rd, Unit-A
Charlotte, NC 28210
Office: 704-502-3751
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