The TakeAway: Shannon shares her experience with aphasia and apraxia
"I was 45 when my life changed forever.
I went to bed as normal on Sunday night - it was Mother’s Day 2018.
Apparently, I got up to go to the toilet at 3am, Stewart my husband heard this, I don't remember.
When I woke up again it was about 5.30am. I was thrashing around in the bed and then I fell out. Stewart tried to pick me up. I was paralysed down my right side, I couldn’t speak, and I had a facial droop.
Stewart recognised my stroke straight away. I remember him calling the ambulance and saying, “I think my wife is having a stroke”.
How would you describe your experience with aphasia, apraxia and communication challenges? (0.48 sec)
Aphasia is when you have trouble talking, reading, writing or understanding other people when they speak.
Shannon says, "Initially I was extremely scared, then I found it very frustrating...Because aphasia is wordfinding, and then I also was a math's brain before my stroke, and now I can't add up in my head....I also liked reading, but now I can't concentrate...."
At the start people used to have a patronizing look on their face, they thought I was stupid [this was very frustrating]."
Resources:
- Aphasia Handbook
- Aphasia and communication
- Explaining about aphasia to other people
- Self-directed rehab by Rebecca Moore
- Australian Aphasia Association
What are some of the strategies that helped you to tackle aphasia and apraxia? (2.46 mins)
Shannon says, "I talk much slower now...people often talked for me in the start, and I let them,...when talking to a person with aphasia, make direct eye contact, minimise the background noise, talk naturally but slower and then don't ask too many questions at a time.
Have a sense of humour..."
Practice, practice, practice with apraxia – apraxia is difficulty planning and coordinating the muscles used during speech...."
Resources:
- Find a Speech pathologist
- Who will be involved in my care
- Apraxia after stroke
- Support groups and choirs for aphasia and apraxia
When organising your workday, did you do all your talking in the morning because of fatigue? (7.20 mins)
Shannon says, "Yes, I like to get my words out right the first time, in the afternoon my speech would really let me down. I talked much slower in the afternoon, and I would slur my words in the afternoon...I went back to work four months after my stroke, which helped because it made me talk more."
Resources:
What advice would you give to someone who is newly living with aphasia or just beginning their recovery journey? (8.15 mins)
Shannon says, "Be kind to yourself, be patient with yourself, and I encourage family and friends to be patient also, give yourself time to speak and have a sense of humor.
Be patient and kind, that is the advice I give."