Lambeth stroke survivor adds her voice to Lost for Words campaign

Press release -

Lambeth stroke survivor adds her voice to Lost for Words campaign

Lambeth stroke survivor Sonia Timlett, 36, is one of the thousands of people living with communication difficulties after a stroke.

Sonia, a mother of one, had a stroke in 2009 which left her unable to speak.

Sonia said: “When I found out that I had had a stroke, it came as a complete shock.I thought strokes only happened to older people, not young and fit people like me. After my stroke, I couldn’t speak, and had very little movement in my right arm and leg.The worst thing was that I wasn’t able to tell anyone how I was feeling, which left me feeling cut off, incredibly scared and very isolated.

“After two weeks, I was able to say my first word, which was ‘nice’, and for the next two months this was all I could say – it was so frustrating.However, I received speech therapy and I was determined to find my voice again.Very slowly, words started to come back to me and I was gradually able to build sentences.

“It’s been eight years since my stroke, but sometimes it feels like one week. Still now, the words I have in my mind don’t always come out right when I speak, but I feel I’ve come a long way.

“A year and a half after my stroke I decided I wanted to get back to work and was desperate to help other stroke survivors.I now work with the Stroke Association as a Family and Carer Support Co-ordinator in one of London’s boroughs.Although I still struggle with my speech, I love my job and I love guiding other people down the road of recovery after their stroke.

“Recovering from a stroke is a long journey and it can take a lifetime.I’m still recovering from mine, but the stroke survivors I work with on a daily basis help me enormously. In 2013 I had my beautiful son, Sammy. As he’s been learning how to talk, so have I.”

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.

Michelle Dalmacio, Director of Stroke Support South at the Stroke Association, said: “After a stroke, around one in three people like Soniahave 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.

“Sonia’s passion to help other stroke survivors is incredible. Her dedication and encouragement to others is just wonderful. We’re so grateful for all she does.”

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

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    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