Aphasia Threads: Alice and Jill

Welcome to the Aphasia Threads Project, which usually weaves together three points-of-view: people with aphasia, caregivers, and the professionals who help each family navigate aphasia. Each week, we bring together three unrelated stories, one from each member of this triad, to learn from their experience. Yet this week, all three stories come from people with aphasia.

This week, we’ll hear from Alice and Jill, two people with aphasia.

Person with Aphasia

I was standing on a sidewalk, then passed out and hit my head in the street, causing a traumatic brain injury and a brain bleed in July 2018.

Aphasia Changes Your Life

I have difficulty forming/finding words, hearing, reading, emotional issues, etc.

But There Are Things That Help

The speech therapy I received has helped tremendously. I also do Lumosity daily.

And Things You Learn Along the Way

Accept changes will happen and stay positive.

What Caregivers and Professionals Can Learn From Me

Things are different for us. We may be slower forming some words or replace a word that we might not have used before, and it will probably be worse for us than you.

Keep a journal and then write your story. I have “My Story” and “What Happens in Your New Life” written.

Person with Aphasia

It started with a stroke at 51.

Aphasia Changes Your Life

I have met many new friends with aphasia through different programs. Close friends understand what I’m going through. Some do not.

But There Are Things That Help

What has helped me is people that are close to understanding what I’m going through and treating me like nothing is wrong.

And Things You Learn Along the Way

Stay strong and positive. Lean on family and friends.

What Caregivers and Professionals Can Learn From Me

The person that has aphasia is smart and knows what is going on in life.

Mindfulness helps to smooth out all the ups and downs of our daily lives. Celebrate all of my little successes. Love me for who I am today. Cheer me on.

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