Lost for words after a stroke

TAKE a moment this week to watch a powerful documentary from the Stroke Association – When The Words Away Went.

It follows three stroke survivors who developed aphasia – a loss of speech and difficulty with writing and understanding language – as they try to rebuild their lives. Aphasia can also be caused by other conditions that damage the brain.

For instance, Hollywood star Bruce Willis retired from acting last year saying he had aphasia, and in February revealed he had been diagnosed with dementia.

It is a very upsetting problem. Sufferers say that people often assume they are drunk, and the impact that the inability to speak has on socialising and interaction is also profound.

The documentary is streaming now on Channel 4 (channel4.com) and on the Stroke Association website (stroke.org.uk).