LETTER BOOSTS A-LISTER WILLIS
EXCLUSIVE
SCOTLAND’S aphasia patients have written to Hollywood star Bruce Willis urging him to “keep going” after his diagnosis.
The A-lister’s family recently announced the Die Hard actor was giving up acting after developing the condition, which is “impacting his cognitive abilities”.
Aphasia is a disorder which impacts speech, writing and the ability to understand spoken and written language.
It usually happens suddenly after a stroke or head injury. Now, in Aphasia Awareness Month, members of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland have written to Willis, saying: “We know it takes
PATIENT Ewan Ramsey time to adjust to aphasia. Be sure to recognise your ‘small’ victories as well as the big ones.
“Try to meet other people in a similar position. Keep going!”
CHSS estimates that about 2400 stroke survivors are diagnosed with aphasia following each year in Scotland.
One of those is Ewan Ramsay, 52, from West Linton in Peeblesshire.
Ewan said: “You have to try and meet new people all the time.
“If I feel my mouth isn’t saying what I want it to or I can’t think of a word, I stop for a minute and take a deep breath. I’ve had to learn to be patient.”