On the tip of my tongue - talking about Aphasia
Jonathan Hirons's journey following his stroke and diagnosis of aphasia is both inspiring and informative. Here’s a summary of his experience and insights about aphasia:
Jonathan's Experience with Aphasia
1. Initial Incident:
In January 2019, while in a business meeting, Jonathan began to feel strange and soon realized he could not communicate effectively. His colleagues quickly called for medical help.
2. Medical Emergency:
He was rushed to University College Hospital, where scans revealed he had suffered a stroke due to a bleed on the brain. He spent five nights in the hospital and was diagnosed with aphasia.
3. Impact on Daily Life:
- Jonathan struggled with basic tasks such as speaking, reading, and writing.
- He had memory issues, recalling only his postcode but not his full address or other personal information.
- He faced challenges in understanding spoken language but could still sign his name.
4. Support from Family:
His wife, Ann, played a crucial role in his recovery:
- She encouraged him to read aloud daily and used flashcards to aid in word recognition and writing.
- This early intervention was vital for his rehabilitation.
5. Progress Through Therapy:
With the help of speech therapy, Jonathan made significant improvements:
- He regained much of his ability to read and write, although he still experiences difficulties, especially when tired.
6. Advocacy and Awareness:
- Jonathan has turned his experiences into a creative outlet by producing films, including "On the Tip of My Tongue" and "What is Aphasia?" These films aim to educate others about aphasia and its challenges.
- He actively shares his story to raise awareness about aphasia as a hidden disability and the ongoing need for support beyond initial rehabilitation.
Understanding Aphasia
Aphasia is a language disorder that affects communication abilities, including:
- Speaking: Difficulty in forming words or sentences.
- Understanding: Challenges in comprehending spoken or written language.
- Reading and Writing: Problems with reading text or writing coherently.
Key Takeaways
- Aphasia is often a result of brain damage, commonly from strokes, and can significantly impact daily life.
- Early intervention and support are crucial for recovery.
- Awareness and education about aphasia can help reduce stigma and improve support for those affected.
Jonathan's story highlights the resilience of individuals facing such challenges and the importance of community support in their recovery journey.
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On the tip of my tongue - talking about Aphasia
On the tip of my tongue S3 E1 - Iain Stansfield and Dr Suzanne Beeke
Navigating Conversations with Aphasia: Insights from Iain Stansfield
In this episode of 'On the Tip of My Tongue,' hosts Rob Edwards and Jonathan Hirons explore the intricacies of living with aphasia through a conversation with Iain Stansfield and Dr. Suzanne Beeke. Iain shares his personal journey following a stroke, emphasising the challenges of communicating with aphasia and the impact on relationships. The discussion delves into experiences from the 'Better Conversations with Aphasia' therapy group, a program developed by Dr. Beeke at UCL. Key points include the significance of video reflection in improving communication strategies and the evolving dynamic between individuals with aphasia and their partners. Listeners are encouraged to support the podcast and can find more resources at stroke.org.uk, sayaphasia.org, or the NHS aphasia page.
00:00 Understanding Aphasia: A Shift in Conversations
00:34 Welcome to 'On the Tip of My Tongue'
02:33 Introducing Iain Stansfield
03:06 The Therapy Group Experience
04:42 Reflections on Communication Challenges
06:40 Impact of Video Reflections
07:37 Changes and Insights Post-Therapy
10:49 Future Directions and Final Thoughts
12:33 Conclusion and Resources
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This podcast is funded by https://www.bas.org.uk
To watch Jonathan’s film: https://tipofmytonguefilm.com
http://x.com/buffaloloungeuk
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhirons/
The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia website
http://aphasiatavistocktrust.org
