Roald Dahl and Aphasia- article

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/sep/12/roald-dahl-medical-pioneer-stroke-hydrocephalus-measles-vaccination

‘“Surely one hour a day is not enough,” he said to me. “What in the world are you going to teach a child if she only goes to school for an hour a day? That is what Pat was like then – a child. She didn’t even know her ABC.”

Ahhh - my goodness this is awesome Marcus, I too was a huge Roald Dahl reading fan, and of course a Patricia Neal follower once nursing enlightened me to her story.

It was possible, the movie - which I haven't watched in years - showed a scene I will never forget of Patrica becoming so frustrated with herself for not being able to get the words out she wanted.  It's interesting I would think of that particular scene often as I struggled to talk and pull words from deep inside my brain before they flew off.  For me that was what learning to talk again was like - I would visualise myself plucking the word from my brain before I saw it grow wings and sending it flying out through my mouth, before it flew off out the top of my brain.

I seriously did this! Could I have explained what I was doing in my mind, no. Would I have wanted to explain - no. I was exposed beyond my comfort zone enough, and feeling very vulnerable.  So it's only in this safe place and on reflection that I let go of the tight rope I held on to and explain what was working for me.

Keep digging up treasures such as this Marcus. 

Your friend

Sue

Hi All

I am running a survey for caregivers of people with aphasia. If you see this and would like to participate, please find the link below. It closes 25 August. 

https://uoc.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bmFfSzYpHLIOnTE