My wife and I just started unpacking our suitcases from our vacation. I told her I had a headache, so she told me to go lay down and take a nap. Suddenly, I woke up and I’m on the floor. I’m numb, I can’t speak, and my right side is paralyzed. Quickly my wife Annie…
Originally after my stroke, I couldn’t say anything or do much at all. I remember I couldn’t write in full sentences, just bullets. However, even 10 years after my stroke I met two very influential Speech Language Pathologists from Boston. I began working with them and my skills improved so much more and they continue…
People with aphasia who attend group treatment at the Loyola Clinical Centers in Baltimore and Columbia, Maryland shared their thoughts during Aphasia Awareness Month: Difficult – “Aphasia is difficult. It is hard for me to talk. I cannot say things I want to say. It is difficult when my wife is talking. Sometimes she writes…
This is a Finding Words story! The following is Rick’s more detailed story, written by his wife Stephanie: It was Sunday of Thanksgiving Weekend, and I was raking leaves with my son, Jason, when I starting having a massive headache…. like no headache I ever had before. My wife called 911 and I went to…
This is a Finding Words story! 4 years ago, the man I used to be had a stroke; little words have spoken… self-esteem, old self, happiness- were shot to pieces. Depression set in. I didn’t know myself anymore. My companion Aphasia shown me the light. She stole my linguistic tool kit but she’s the one…
This is a Finding Words story! Before Moms Stroke in April she was as Active as a 20 years old.. Traveling Gardening Driving just really enjoying her life . Her Recovery Physically has been Amazing she refused to use the wheelchair, walker and cane , did I mention she is stubborn ? Now we Begin…
This is a Finding Words story! As an SLP working in home care, I routinely meet people who have been limited by aphasia. I love getting to know my patients and learning about what is important to them. Then, through direct therapy or training on alternative communication, my goal is to get them back to…
This is a Finding Words story! Patronize. The most frustrating part of having aphasia is when doctors and nurses patronize me. They do not understand aphasia and don’t want to take the time to learn. If you have aphasia, you must have a positive attitude. No one wants to listen to a cry baby. Aphasia…
This is a Finding Words story! I had a stroke almost two years ago. I was in the hospital for two weeks. One week at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in Somerville and another week at the Princeton Hospital. I could not talk for 2 weeks and then slowly a word or two came back. I…
This is a Finding Words story! I got aphasia one day after surgery. I was in the hospital for four months before I could start communicating. Doctors helped me slowly recover and I slowly start to walk with a cane, and move around more. What motivated me to talk was my grandson. My grandson Max…