The Aphasia Handbook is vital to people living with aphasia
In July 2016, Ben’s day started off as a great one. He was exploring Hong Kong with his partner Gabby and taking a cable car up to see the spectacular view of the city. But he began to feel unwell.
No-one could have predicted that just hours later Ben would be in a coma.
A stroke was diagnosed, and urgent brain surgery was performed to remove the pressure from Ben’s brain. Two weeks went by, and Ben was still on life support. Once his condition stabilised, he was flown home to Melbourne in an air ambulance for further treatment and care.
Ben remembers, “At first, I had no idea what had happened, and why I was not in Hong Kong. I could not make any sounds or move the right side of my body.”
You can imagine how distressing it would be to wake up in a different country, feeling trapped in your own body and unable to ask what has happened.
There are more than 140,000 Australians currently living with aphasia, who need all the support we can give them.
That’s why, in collaboration with the Australian Aphasia Association, we’ve created the first-ever Aphasia Handbook in Australia. This handbook addresses long-standing gaps in aphasia support and will give people the information they need to understand what’s happened, tools to better communicate with loved ones and medical staff and help them on their recovery journey.
That is why Ben has shared his story to raise money to support this important project. The Aphasia Handbook is vital to people living with aphasia, but we need help to get it into the right hands. If you can, please help by donating - big or small amounts will all help.
It’s been almost eight years since doctors told Ben might never speak again. He’s since relearnt the alphabet, simple words, phrases and now speaks in full sentences. He’s also relearned to walk, climb stairs, use his non-dominant left hand, and got his driver’s license!