On the tip of my tongue - talking about Aphasia

Written by: Jonathan Hirons and Rob Edwards
Listen for free

  • Summary

  • Jonathan Hirons's journey following his stroke and diagnosis of aphasia is both inspiring and informative. Here’s a summary of his experience and insights about aphasia:

    ### Jonathan's Experience with Aphasia

    1. **Initial Incident**: In January 2019, while in a business meeting, Jonathan began to feel strange and soon realized he could not communicate effectively. His colleagues quickly called for medical help.

    2. **Medical Emergency**: He was rushed to University College Hospital, where scans revealed he had suffered a stroke due to a bleed on the brain. He spent five nights in the hospital and was diagnosed with **aphasia**.

    3. **Impact on Daily Life**:
    - Jonathan struggled with basic tasks such as speaking, reading, and writing.
    - He had memory issues, recalling only his postcode but not his full address or other personal information.
    - He faced challenges in understanding spoken language but could still sign his name.

    4. **Support from Family**: His wife, Ann, played a crucial role in his recovery:
    - She encouraged him to read aloud daily and used flashcards to aid in word recognition and writing.
    - This early intervention was vital for his rehabilitation.

    5. **Progress Through Therapy**: With the help of speech therapy, Jonathan made significant improvements:
    - He regained much of his ability to read and write, although he still experiences difficulties, especially when tired.

    6. **Advocacy and Awareness**:
    - Jonathan has turned his experiences into a creative outlet by producing films, including **"On the Tip of My Tongue"** and **"What is Aphasia?"** These films aim to educate others about aphasia and its challenges.
    - He actively shares his story to raise awareness about aphasia as a hidden disability and the ongoing need for support beyond initial rehabilitation.

    ### Understanding Aphasia

    Aphasia is a language disorder that affects communication abilities, including:
    - **Speaking**: Difficulty in forming words or sentences.
    - **Understanding**: Challenges in comprehending spoken or written language.
    - **Reading and Writing**: Problems with reading text or writing coherently.

    ### Key Takeaways

    - **Aphasia is often a result of brain damage**, commonly from strokes, and can significantly impact daily life.
    - **Early intervention and support** are crucial for recovery.
    - **Awareness and education** about aphasia can help reduce stigma and improve support for those affected.

    Jonathan's story highlights the resilience of individuals facing such challenges and the importance of community support in their recovery journey.
    © 2024 On the tip of my tongue - talking about Aphasia
    Show More Show Less
Biographies & Memoirs Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Social Sciences
Show More Show Less
Episodes
  • On the tip of my tongue Podcast: Hidden Voices: Reflections on Aphasia and Care 2024 Round up

    On the tip of my tongue Podcast: Hidden Voices: Reflections on Aphasia and Care 2024 Round up
    Jan 1 2025

    Send us a text

    Overcoming Aphasia and the Importance of Carers

    In this episode, the host reflects on past events and highlights key themes such as surviving a critical health incident in Las Vegas, the significant role of communication in recovery from strokes, and the challenges and strategies for living with aphasia. The episode also emphasizes the importance of unpaid carers, their economic contribution, and the need for perseverance in finding effective communication methods post-injury. The narrative draws an analogy to living in a foreign country to convey the experience of aphasia, highlighting its often hidden nature and the frustration of not being recognized for having a serious condition.

    00:00 Reflecting on Past Episodes
    00:10 A Harrowing Experience in Las Vegas
    00:40 The Importance of Communication Post-Stroke
    00:52 Meet Pete Cody: A Story of Resilience
    01:05 Tips for a Healthy Brain
    01:31 The Role and Impact of Unpaid Carers
    02:07 Understanding Aphasia: A Hidden Disability

    Support the show

    Support the show: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JonathanHirons

    To watch Jonathan’s film: https://tipofmytonguefilm.com

    http://x.com/buffaloloungeuk
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhirons/

    The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia website

    http://aphasiatavistocktrust.org
    Show More Show Less
    3 mins
  • On the tip of my tongue Series 2 Episode 5 - Colin Lyall, founder of Say Aphasia

    On the tip of my tongue Series 2 Episode 5 - Colin Lyall, founder of Say Aphasia
    Dec 16 2024

    Send us a text

    On the tip of my tongue S2 E5: Discover the journey of overcoming aphasia—a rare look within as the fog lifts, and life begins anew. Tune in to our latest episode to hear Colin Lyall's inspiring story.

    Say Aphasia

    The Say Aphasia Charity provides supportive drop-in groups for people with aphasia in the UK. It is run by people with aphasia for people with aphasia.

    Aphasia is not a well known condition and so people with this communication disability can feel alone and isolated from their community.

    Our aim is to provide continuous support in a social environment with people who are experiencing similar life changes.

    Our charity makes a difference to people living with aphasia by:

    • Offering companionship and support
    • Helping to adjust to living with aphasia.
    • Meeting people who are experiencing a similar life change.
    • Making new life long friends.
    • Gaining tips and advice from others with aphasia.
    • Gaining confidence to socialise and communicate as best they can.
    • Re-gaining independence as much as they can.
    • Helping to reduce loneliness.
    • Providing support in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
    • Offering art class and singing class as a therapeutic way to relax and express themselves.

    #AphasiaAwareness

    #StrokeRecovery

    #SayAphasia


    https://www.sayaphasia.org

    Support the show

    Support the show: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JonathanHirons

    To watch Jonathan’s film: https://tipofmytonguefilm.com

    http://x.com/buffaloloungeuk
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhirons/

    The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia website

    http://aphasiatavistocktrust.org
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Clip of On the tip of my tongue Series 2 Episode 3 - Dr Suzanne Beeke

    Clip of On the tip of my tongue Series 2 Episode 3 - Dr Suzanne Beeke
    Dec 12 2024

    Send us a text

    Support the show

    Support the show: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JonathanHirons

    To watch Jonathan’s film: https://tipofmytonguefilm.com

    http://x.com/buffaloloungeuk
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhirons/

    The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia website

    http://aphasiatavistocktrust.org
    Show More Show Less
    1 min

What listeners say about On the tip of my tongue - talking about Aphasia

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.in reviews

Amazon Reviews
No Reviews are Available