Living with aphasia isn’t always about the speaking. It’s what happens inside your mind that other people can’t see.
People often assume that because I can talk, I understand everything that’s being said. But aphasia doesn’t work like that. Sometimes I need longer to process words. Sometimes I know something isn’t making sense, but I can’t work out why quickly enough. Sometimes my brain is still trying to catch up while the conversation has already moved on.
What makes it even harder is when people interrupt, finish my sentences, or speak over me. It can feel like my opportunity to understand and respond has been taken away. Instead of helping, it often makes communication even more difficult.
Please don’t judge someone with aphasia by how well we speak. Communication is much more than words. Give us time. Let us finish. Let us process. A few extra seconds of patience can make all the difference.
I’d love to hear from others living with aphasia or supporting someone who is.
@Ellie-Boakes It is very frustrating when people finish your sentences for you isn’t it. It is something I have been guilty of in the past and I try really hard not to do it now. Having my stroke taught me to be more patient in these circumstances. AS Janet says you can clearly communicate very well.
Thank you for sharing your experience. It will help many on the forum.
Aye, perception and production. Speaking/writing are production skills and listening/reading are perceptional skills. When I taught English, I had to be mindful of which of these skills were lacking in students and build lessons around improving that.
My wife struggles to find the right words. I know they’re in her mind, but it can take time for them to come out, and she’s always apologising.
I tell her that there’s no rush and we will get there in the end. Provided u can understand the gist of what she’s saying, then her being exact isn’t that important.
She calls me by her ex-husbands name, can’t name certain everyday objects, but will tell you birthdays and other things I am surprised at in a pleasant way. It just goes to show how complex the brain is.
The main thing is that she loves me and can express that clearly, and she knows how much I love her, and that wouldn’t change if she could speak 20 words or 20’000.
