I have traveled all of my things except speaking! My brain is on the left side and all things I have recovered except speaking! It has taken me ten years because it is better than the a year ago. My mind is clear, but the speech is disconnected some times. Sometimes I must feel it a little bit half the pace or even slower to be clearer! Oh well -- it is a little bit hard but I must go forward! Lachlan.
Hello Lachlan
Thank you for reaching out and it is great that you are sharing your story with others on EnableMe who may resonate with what you are going through. I am sorry to hear how your stroke has affected your speech. Having difficulty communicating is very challenging and can also impact on all aspects of your life. I am pleased to hear that you are still focused on your recovery and going forward. Staying motivated and continuing with therapy can be really tough but can also help with making ongoing gains in your recovery.
Are you still seeing a Speech Pathologist Lachlan? A Speech pathologist can help guide and support you to continue to work on your speech. Even years down the track, having input form therapists can be helpful. It sounds like you may already be seeing a Speech therapist given that your speech has improved over the last year. If you aren’t, speak to your Gp about a referral to your local hospital Speech Pathology outpatient department, or to a private Speech therapist using the chronic conditions management treatment plan. If you are eligible you can access up to 5 sessions of allied health therapy such as a Speech therapist at a Medicare rebated rate over 12 months.
It is important to keep up your hope, and it sounds like you are continuing to improve, given your speech is better than a year ago. Stroke Recovery is lifelong, and we know that it can help to have ongoing rehabilitation and a focus on making sure your treatment is challenging you.
We really appreciate you sharing your recovery with us on EnableMe. If you want to reach out to StrokeLine, you can email us on strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au, or call us on Ph. 1800 787 653. We are available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (AEST).
Warm regards
Siobhan (StrokeLine)
Lachlan thankyou for sharing your story of recovery and struggle with speech. My stroke was nearly 10 years ago. My problem is dysarthria or slurry speech. It is definitely worse when tired. My therapist has encouraged me to speak more slowly., and suggested I rad aloud , this is hard work, to read and lift my voice. As you pointed out recovery is life long. Best wishes Jenny
Hi Lachlan,
Here are some more comments from the community - there is some great advice for you.
Tracy Anne Ward
It’s the most frustrating thing in our house too Lachlan. My husband Stephen, had a stroke almost 9 years ago, he hasn’t given up but it is disheartening when others get much bigger improvement in their speech than he does. We do speech sessions weekly with our speech therapist and attend an online aphasia group run by the University of Technology, Sydney. We are always hopeful for the next miracle cure though !
Emma White
Speech Pathologist here! Regaining speech is really tough and recovery slows down as you get further away from the stroke, but it can keep getting better. My top tips
1) find a speech pathologist who ‘gets’ you and can help you set realistic goals
2) get on mailing lists for research - it’s a great way to get extra therapy
3) join an aphasia group for extra practice in a supportive environment
4) don’t give up!
Wendy McKeen
Keep working at it. My Mum had a big stroke and fried all her right side even blind in that eye. Drs surprised she could still talk and told us she must have been ambidextrous. Which she was. Start using both hands alternately. I am ambidextrous naturally but it reminds me of what the drs said.
Jim N Tina Marshall
My name is Tina my stroke took most of my voice today it's alot deeper I was lucky in Toowoomba hospital rehab got a retired quior teacher I learnt to sing got to do a bucket list last year got to sing a duet with Adam Brand country music artist.
Kim Diane Beesley
Keep on with speech therapy, join an aphasia group if you have one nearby. It takes time, some days will be better than others. Use technology to help with spelling words and keep at it!!
I'm in my eighth year of recovery and can understand your complaint. My voice and speech were badly affected and the isolation brought on by Covid meant that my opportunities to practice talking with others was seriously affected. Over the last few months a troublesome tooth also added to the speech problem, this has now been removed and I am having to work hard at improving my talking, I am doing this by reading out loud from the book on my tablet courtesy of Libby.
Getting the mouth to work properly is a major problem, I also when out walking recite tongue twisters out loud. This can cause funny looks by other people so I hold an open phone near my mouth and people think I am talking to someone!
Anyone else got any useful tricks?
Deigh
I like your idea of the tongue twisters, and the phone :)