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Londoners with Aphasia Find Voice Through Song
13 Nov
Summary
- Aphasia group co-creates music to raise awareness and support condition sufferers.
- The song 'Listen' aims to help others understand life with aphasia.
- Tens of thousands of Londoners live with isolating aphasia, often due to stroke.
In London, individuals living with aphasia are finding a powerful outlet through music. The Aphasia New Music Group, a collaborative effort of people with aphasia, musicians, and speech and language therapists, creates songs to foster awareness and mutual support.
Aphasia, a condition often resulting from stroke or brain injury, significantly impacts communication abilities, leading to isolation for many. The group's recent song, 'Listen,' was developed with the goal of helping others comprehend the realities of living with this condition.
Facilitator Finn Beans highlighted the group's mission to counter the widespread lack of understanding surrounding aphasia. Speech and language therapist Dr. Carolyn Bruce explained that aphasia is an acquired language difficulty affecting speaking, reading, writing, and understanding, making life profoundly challenging for those affected.
Colin Lyall, an early member who experienced aphasia after a stroke 13 years ago, found that while his speech has improved, reading and writing remain difficult. His experience inspired him to establish the charity Say Aphasia. He credits the music group as vital to his personal development and recovery.
