Breakthrough-Speech

10/08/2026

Speech-language pathologist Libby Lewis continues her presentation on swallow safety for caregivers.

In this clip, she demonstrates the larynx and explains the role of the epiglottis — a cartilage flap above the vocal cords protecting the airway entrance.

Normally, the epiglottis folds down to seal the airway and direct food to the esophagus. Weakened muscles, however, can leave a gap, allowing thin liquids to enter the airway and cause aspiration.

Residue remaining above the epiglottis can also trickle into the airway later, creating a delayed aspiration risk.

Watch the video for more details, and FOLLOW ALONG for other helpful tips to help improve the lives of those you care for.

10/01/2026

This is Libby Lewis, speech-language pathologist, continuing her presentation on swallow safety for caregivers.

This clip Libby breaks down swallow anatomy, starting with the oral phase: how food or liquid is chewed and prepared before swallowing. She shows the location of the pharynx (throat) and trachea (airway), emphasizing that safe swallowing means directing food down the throat, not into the airway.

While a cough can clear material above the vocal cords, material passing below them is aspirated and harder to clear. Healthy lungs can handle minor aspiration, but frequent aspiration or underlying lung issues increase the risk of infection, such as aspiration pneumonia.

Speech therapists evaluate the entire swallowing process to prevent choking and protect long-term lung health.

Watch the video for more details, and follow along for other helpful tips to help improve the lives of those you care for.

09/09/2026

Thank you PNW Home for Life for allowing me to speak at the Brain Summit!

More than 120 people packed the Fidalgo Bay RV Resort Event Center Saturday, Sept. 5, for the inaugural Bulletproof Brain Summit, a six-hour deep dive into the science and habits

09/08/2026

This is Libby Lewis, speech-language pathologist, continuing her presentation on fatigue and swallow safety for caregivers.

In this clip, she walks through an animated video of a normal swallow — showing what’s actually happening anatomically, and what it would look like on an X-ray.

There are 17 components between the mouth and throat that a speech therapist analyzes during a swallow. In the video, she points out the tongue’s role in moving the bolus (the food or liquid being swallowed), and the goal of every safe swallow: the bolus travels down the pharynx, and stays out of the larynx — the airway.

Libby shares this level of detail for a reason. When she asks a patient to do a specific exercise, she wants them to actually understand why. Knowing how much is involved in something as automatic as swallowing changes how patients engage with their own therapy.

Follow along for more helpful tips to help improve the lives of those you care for.

09/02/2026

This is Libby Lewis, speech-language pathologist, continuing her presentation on fatigue and swallow safety for caregivers.

In this clip, she connects two topics that often get treated separately: fatigue and swallowing.

Swallowing isn’t a simple, automatic action — it involves over 30 muscles working in coordination, every single time someone eats or drinks. Now think about how many times that happens during just one meal: chewing, swallowing, chewing again. For some people, that repetition alone can be exhausting.

That’s why it’s worth paying attention not just to if someone can swallow safely, but whether that safety holds up over the course of a full meal. Fatigue can set in partway through — meaning the beginning of a meal might look very different from the end.

Follow along for more helpful tips to help improve the lives of those you care for.

08/31/2026

This is Libby Lewis, speech-language pathologist, continuing her presentation on fatigue and swallow safety for caregivers.

In this clip, she introduces the Boom Bust Cycle — a pattern worth watching for anyone managing fatigue.

On the days someone feels really good, it’s tempting to do everything they used to do. It feels good to feel good. But that burst of activity usually comes at a cost — often 1 to 2 days of recovery afterward.

Once you can anticipate this pattern, you have two options: plan for a lighter “boom,” or plan ahead for the “bust” that’s likely to follow. Either way, seeing it coming makes it easier to manage.

Follow along for more helpful tips to help improve the lives of those you care for.

08/26/2026

This is Libby Lewis, speech-language pathologist, continuing her presentation on fatigue and swallow safety for caregivers.

In this clip, she addresses a common mistake caregivers make with Spoon Theory: assuming.

It’s easy to guess how many spoons a task costs your person, or what activities will help them regain energy — especially once you understand the framework. But those numbers aren’t universal, and they’re not yours to assume.

The most important part of applying Spoon Theory isn’t figuring it out on your own. It’s having the conversation. Ask what a task actually costs them. Ask what genuinely gives them energy back. Their answers might surprise you.

Follow along for more helpful tips to help improve the lives of those you care for.

08/22/2026

This is Libby Lewis, speech-language pathologist, continuing her presentation on fatigue and swallow safety for caregivers.

In this clip, she breaks down the logistics of how Spoon Theory actually works.

Each person starts the day with a set number of spoons. Every task draws from that supply — whether it’s physical, cognitive, or emotional — and the same task can cost different people a different number of spoons. Once the spoons are gone, that energy doesn’t come back until real rest happens.

The most useful part of this framework isn’t just knowing you have limited spoons — it’s learning to identify which specific tasks cost the most, and which activities actually restore them.

Follow along for more helpful tips to help improve the lives of those you care for.

08/20/2026

This is Libby Lewis, speech-language pathologist, continuing her presentation on fatigue and swallow safety for caregivers.

In this clip, she breaks down the three types of fatigue: physical, cognitive, and emotional. Each one shows up differently — and they don’t always happen alone. A hard day physically can drain someone emotionally and make it difficult to perform cognitively.

Follow along for more helpful tips to help improve the lives of those you care for.

08/19/2026

One of the best parts of hosting these presentations is hearing directly from the people in the room. Here’s what one attendee shared after Libby’s recent presentation on Fatigue Management & Swallow Safety:

“Libby Lewis and Breakthrough Speech, LLC hosted a series of free community workshops on July 20, 2026 focused on Fatigue Management & Swallow Safety for care partners, families, healthcare professionals, and anyone interested in supporting others with confidence and compassion.
I had the opportunity to attend one of these workshops, and I’d love to share my experience.

From the moment the presentation began, it was clear that this wasn’t just another lecture. It was a thoughtfully designed, practical learning experience filled with valuable information that people can immediately apply in everyday life.

One of the things I appreciated most was Libby’s ability to explain complex topics in a clear, practical, and easy-to-understand way. She combined evidence-based information with visual examples, real-life situations, and thoughtfully prepared handouts that participants can continue using as a valuable reference.

Every participant left not only with new knowledge but also with practical resources they can continue using long after the presentation.

This presentation offered more than information — it provided practical tools that can help caregivers and families better understand, support, and care for the people they love.

Thank you, Libby Lewis, for your professionalism, your passion for teaching, and your genuine commitment to helping others. Your work is making a meaningful difference in our community.”

Want to bring practical caregiver education to your group or organization? We’d love to create a training tailored to your audience. Message us to learn more.