Stroke survivor Gary is adding his voice to the Lost for Words campaign
SWANSEA stroke survivor Gary Scott, 33, is one of the thousands of people living with communication difficulties after a stroke.
In 2010, Gary had a stroke at just 26 years old which changed his life in an instant. The former bus driver was left unable to speak, read or write and has spent the past seven years battling to regain his ability to communicate.
Gary said:“The communications support co-ordinator from the Stroke Association helped me in the first two years. I had a card explaining I’d had a stroke, but I didn’t want to tell the world why I couldn’t speak. He taught me that it’s better to tell people because then you’ve got more time to try your best.
“Everyone who’s had a stroke is going to be different and you need time, support and people to talk to. If a stroke survivor wants to speak to you but is having difficulty, just take two minutes to listen and give them time. Because talking can be hard work.”
Gary also got tremendous assistance from his local awardwinning support group, which particularly seeks to help stroke survivors of working age.
Gary added: “Three years ago I joined the Neath Port Talbot Stroke Group, which has helped me a lot. I’ve made friends and met a lady who’s become my private tutor and really helped my speech and reading come on.
“Sometimes long words can be difficult, or reading gets hard if I’m tired. So then I send the words on WhatsApp to my sister, so she can let me know what they say.”
The Stroke Association’s Lost for Words campaign aims to raise awareness of the challenges faced by stroke survivors with communication difficulties, and the help and support available.
Ross Evans, interim director of the Stroke Association in Wales, said: “After a stroke, around one in three people like Gary have difficulty communicating, which can be both terrifying and isolating.
“But with the right help and support, many stroke survivors are able to find new ways to communicate and can rebuild their lives.”
More than 20,000 people in Wales have aphasia, a communication disability which can be caused by stroke.
The Stroke Association is urging people to show their support for stroke survivors who are lost for words and make a donation. For more information, visit www.stroke.org.uk/ lostforwords.