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.