Chatham stroke survivors adds their voices to Lost for Words campaign

Press release -

Chatham stroke survivors adds their voices to Lost for Words campaign

Chatham stroke survivors Garry Williams and Robert Fionda are among the thousands of people living with communication difficulties after a stroke.

In 2013, Robert, 47, had a stroke which left him with weakness down the right side of his body and a communication difficulty called aphasia.

Sadly, just three years later, Robert’s husband Garry, 41, had a devastating stroke. Garry was left with weakness in the right side of his body and severe aphasia. Garry can’t walk, talk or swallow, and he needs 24-hour care.

Robert said: “I’d never wish a stroke on anyone. For it to happen to my best friend and husband is devastating. While some aspects of Garry’s stroke are similar to mine, a lot aren’t. It really shows just how different every stroke is, and how complex the condition can be. At the moment, Garry can’t say anything – he uses a computer and gestures to talk. He can understand what’s going on, but can’t express verbally. Our lives have changed forever.

“The Stroke Association has been brilliant at supporting both of us through this. Right now I’m not sure what the future holds, but I know that I’ll put everything into helping Garry to recover from this.”

The Stroke Association’s Lost for Words campaign aims to raise awareness of the challenges stroke survivors with communication difficulties can face, and help and support available.

Denise Martin, Information Advice and Support Coordinator at the Stroke Association, said: “After a stroke, around one in three people like Garry and Roberthave 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.

“When we first started supporting Robert, we knew just how determined he was to communicate with his loved ones again. Now we’re supporting his husband Garry, we know he is determined to get better too. We will continue to work with Garry and support him in his recovery.”

More than 350,000 people in the UK 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.

Topics

  • A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. There are more than 100,000 strokes in the UK each year; that is around one stroke every five minutes. There are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke. 
  • Stroke Association is a charity. We believe in life after stroke and together we can conquer stroke. We work directly with stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals and with scientists and researchers. We campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best recovery they can. We fund research to develop new treatments and ways of preventing stroke. The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) provides information and support on stroke. More information can be found at www.stroke.org.uk

    • Contacts

    Angela Macleod

    Angela Macleod

    Press contact Communications Officer Scotland press and Stroke Association research communications 0131 555 7244
    Laura Thomas

    Laura Thomas

    Press contact Communications Officer Wales 07776508594
    Ken Scott

    Ken Scott

    Press contact Press Officer North of England and Midlands 0115 778 8429
    Daisy Dighton

    Daisy Dighton

    Press contact Press Officer London and East of England 02079401358
    Martin Oxley

    Martin Oxley

    Press contact Press Officer South of England 07776 508 646
    Vicki Hall

    Vicki Hall

    Press contact PR Manager Fundraising and local services 0161 742 7478
    Scott Weddell

    Scott Weddell

    Press contact PR Manager Stroke policy, research and Northern Ireland 02075661528
    Katie Padfield

    Katie Padfield

    Press contact Head of PR & Media This team is not responsible for booking marketing materials or advertising
    Out of hours contact

    Out of hours contact

    Press contact Media queries 07799 436008
    Kate Asselman

    Kate Asselman

    Press contact Artist Liaison Lead 07540 518022
    Tell us your story

    Tell us your story

    Press contact 07799 436008

    Related content

    Almost half a million people in the UK could be lost for words by 2025

    Almost half a million people in the UK could be lost for words by 2025

    Around 475,000 stroke survivors across the UK could be living with the communication disability aphasia by 2025

    The UK's leading stroke charity helping people to rebuild their lives after stroke

    The Stroke Association. We believe in life after stroke. That’s why we campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best possible recovery. It’s why we fund research to develop new treatments and ways to prevent stroke. The Stroke Association is a charity. We rely on your support to change lives and prevent stroke. Together we can conquer stroke.

    Stroke Association
    240 City Road
    EC1V 2PR London
    UK