In layperson’s terms, we know what Aphasia is. Aphasia is after having a
stroke, sometimes when we try to speak the words and the words will not come. We
internally know what the words are we are trying to express, but it feels like
it’s, as they say, on the tip of our tongue. The words feel like they are on
the tip of our brain but will not spill over. When the words will not come, it
feels like there are stagnant brain cell messengers trying to switch over to
replace the brain cell messengers that burned out during our stroke.
We find ourselves pushing and breathing from
our diaphragm when the words will not come. When the words finally appear we
can, exhale. Sometimes in a way, after having a stroke, it’s like learning to
speak again from a baby’s breath. We have somewhat gotten use to our daily
chore of speaking in Aphasia language.
In this Blog
I am going to simulate Aphasia by
bringing her alive. I am going to tell
you a story about Aphasia and her Stroke
Comeback Center partner, Survivor.
Now Aphasia is her code name. Her
first name is Patience and her last
name Gentleness.
At the end of this story, eventually Aphasia and Survivor come to a meeting of the minds by deciding to be in a
perfect reunion.
Okay
Stroke Comeback Center Survivors and Strivers, no chains are holding us, so
let’s rock and roll!
Aphasia: Knock, Knock
Survivor: Who’s there?
Aphasia: Aphasia
Survivor: Aphasia who?
Aphasia: You know me, I am Aphasia, Patience Gentleness, who knocks and knock at your door
each day.
Survivor: Oh, I know you Aphasia, who knocks at my door each day. Sometimes I get so discouraged
and wish you would just go away.
Aphasia: Survivor,
today will you be rough and tough with me, or gently allow me to play and just let
me be.
Survivor: But what will I do when the words will
not flow. Please tell me how I will
allow my vocabulary to grow.
Aphasia: Now be patient Survivor, I ask you to continue to push and push the words from
your brain. Push and push until your
words began to rain.
Survivor: Oh my Aphasia, whose brain limbs stretches far and wide. You have such beautiful branches that almost
reach the sky.
Aphasia: Just remember Survivor when your words will not come, don’t run and hide; that’s
no such fun.
Survivor: Aphasia
will you show me your Patience when I
am feeling up-side down and inside-out; those days will you please gently
direct my route.
Aphasia:
Pay attention Survivor, you may have a plan.
When you lose your words, push and push by showing them, “Yes I Can”.
Survivor: When my words tumble up, and they don’t
make sense, will Gentleness show up
and take a bow when I am too tense.
Aphasia: Now, now, Survivor, when your words will not come, patiently wait, they are just
on the run.
Survivor: Well Aphasia,
notwithstanding a miracle, you will never completely go away. So I guess I will
accommodate you and welcome you to stay.
Aphasia: Survivor,
believe in yourself and know I will be here if you call, to catch you with my
patience and gentleness whenever you fall.
Words of Thought: I thank the Stroke Comeback Center (SCC) for showing me, as a survivor and a striver, I can still rock and roll! I thank the SCC for reminding me, “mountains are still being moved in my life; strongholds are still being loose”. We are all special in SCC; we made it through our stroke.
Comments:
I thank my sister Rev. Maude Harrison-Hudson, who would gently mention to me,
after I returned home from in-patient rehabilitation, to think of patience
and gentleness, when the words will not come. Love you Maude JJ
