Press release -
Holbrook stroke survivor adds his voice to Lost for Words campaign
Holbrook stroke survivor, Adrian Stannard, 56, is one of the hundreds of people living with communication difficulties after a stroke.
Adrian was in hospital with pneumonia in 2013 when he had a stroke. The stroke left Adrian with paralysis down the right side of his body, and a communication difficulty called aphasia.
Adrian said: “My voice has always been a big part of who I am. I was an accountant before my stroke and led a very sociable lifestyle.
“After my stroke I was scared and lonely; I felt like I’d lost myself. Thankfully I was introduced to the Stroke Association, and through attending their groups I’ve gained more confidence, independence and found my voice again.
“The charity has helped me realise I’m not alone, and with their help I can join in conversations, and do simple things I took for granted before my stroke, like ordering a meal at a restaurant.”
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.
Elaine Monson, Communication Support Coordinator at the Stroke Association, said: “After a stroke, around one in three people like Adrianhave difficulty communicating, which can be both terrifying and isolating. Since Adrian has been attending our communication support group, he’s gone from strength to strength; his confidence and speech is continuing to improve. I’m so proud of 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.
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- 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 around 152,000 strokes in the UK every year and it is one of the largest causes of disability. 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
