tanyabeautiful

Hi Tanya

My husband has very similar goals as you. It's been 9 months since his stroke and speech was heavily affected. 

Our speech therapist has been just wonderful and suits to hubby's personality too which is most helpful as he clashes with therapist that come off bit on a 'heirachy' stance. 

I was involved with his speech sessions for abt 3mths (precovid), was discharged from the support bc bc covid but re-registered few mths back which is being held via video conference. 

Just last week at the neurologist appt, i was gobsmacked watching him read out words and sentences, even communicating with the dr. I wanted to cry from how much improvement he displayed. To see his persistentcy with his sessions and using techniques  and my constant nagging to use the techniques outside of the sessions pays off. Not easy, lots of frustrations and tears but i just wanted to say to you; don't be hard on yourself. If you do not sound the way you used to, it's ok. The most important part is that you are communicating, just in a different way. Progress is everything and all the small improvements are what's going to get where you are heading! 

Good luck with it all 🙂 

Hi Tanya,

Here are some other comments from the Facebook community:

Nicole Howard It's definitely time, and I also went to speech therapy. I was so self conscious of my stuttering and I think determination helps as well! How long it took me I actually can't remember, but in time it will happen for you as well! I still have problems recalling words, but mainly when I'm tired. Best of luck to you!!

Shelley Markey Just keeping working towards your goal and be kind to yourself along the way.
Work with a good speech therapist if possible or look for on-line resources if it isn't. If your tongue is weak on one side, try doing exercises to help strengthen it. Work on improving the control of your breathing. Make funny faces at yourself in the mirror :) (it helps with symmetry and muscle strength). Hum and sing if you get the chance. Read the same few paragraphs of a book out loud to yourself or someone else each day, marking where you need to pause or breathe. You may find that certain letter combinations in words are harder than others - don't worry, just practice them more often. When you are going to talk to someone on the phone, plan ahead, practise if it will make you feel more comfortable, go slow and don't worry if you need to pause.
Patience, persistence and lots of practising will get you a long way.
Best wishes.

Tony Pope Hello Tanya.
About 6 months I learned a poem to recite. My stroke wasn't bad, so I rated myself as having about 70 per cent speech. I've since learned 9 poems, and I practice them for around 2 hours a day as I walk. At the start I mumbled and stumbled as I read, but I think there must have been some improvement. I might have improved maybe 1 or 2 percent, so now I may be 72%. Speaking involves a number of functions, so we start off with a thought, which we then need to create words in the head, and that's before we get to sounds.

Davina Foster I believe having people who understand your loss of words helps to try... things that I wonder if i could do post stroke .... I make sure I always say thank you to whoever was involved for the patience and vote of confidence! One thing my dr told me was don’t rush for that reply like you would have freely given an answer..... make sure you count to ten before I responded... hope that helps and best of luck

Rebecca Foran my husband had his stroke in june. He has Aphasia now... start small... my hubby is right with you in your wish as its one of his goals too.. he seems to now stutter and this frustrates him

Vanessa Morse I found it useful to rebuild my vocabulary by doing crosswords as i was shocked by how many words I just couldn’t remember. That helped build my confidence when I had to speak on the phone. Nearly 6 years later and I still do crosswords and still find words I struggle with. I had friends that would call me regularly to talk and it took a while but each phone call got better. Good luck with your recovery xo

Debra Bartel Waymark I avoided the phone I was anxious it took a fair while stumbling words out. Got better eventually and you have to let your brain work itself out. 🤗

Robert Brown yeah patience bubs ... it all takes time ...a long time ...but you'll come good .... i did