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1AS SOMEONE WITH APHASIA , WHAT CAN YOU SHARE ABOUT THIS CONDITION THAT YOU THINK WILL HELP OTHER PEOPLE ? Everyone is different . For example , I have Broca ' s aphasia . There ' s also Global aphasia and Wernicke ' s aphasia , and different levels of ability or difficulties that each person may have . Working hard with a Speech Language Pathologist is very important . It may take a long time to make progress .

5HOW DOES APHASIA AFFECT YOUR DAILY LIFE RIGHT NOW AND WHAT TECHNOLOGIES DO YOU FIND MOST HELPFUL , IF ANY ? I have some trouble with writing . I use speechto-text dictation software . My cell phone is a great help . When I can , I go speak to groups along with a Speech Pathologist . I have a PowerPoint presentation , and it includes pictures of me doing sports and activities you might not expect .

2WHAT TREATMENT PROGRAM DID YOU FIND MOST HELPFUL IN YOUR PARTICULAR CASE ? I had individual therapy and then I also participated in a group . At first , I could only say the word " Michael ", and it ' s funny now because I didn ' t even know anyone named Michael ! It ' s important to socialize with others who have aphasia and have some fun , too . When a Speech Pathologist leads the group , the person with aphasia might not know they are working on communications skills when they are in that group .

3WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WITH SEVERE APHASIA ? Don ' t give up . There are alternate ways to communicate if speech is very difficult . You need to trust your Speech-Language Pathologist and work with them .

4WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE FAMILY MEMBERS OF SOMEONE WITH APHASIA ? Families need to learn some of the best ways to help out a person with aphasia . Sometimes waiting without filling in words for them is better . The Speech Pathologist can give the best advice for each person .

6AS AN APHASIA ADVOCATE , WHAT IMPROVEMENTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN YOUR COUNTRY ? It is important to educate people , especially first responders , so they can have an idea of what to expect when they see a person who has aphasia in a medical emergency . The National Aphasia Association says that about 1 / 3 of all strokes result in aphasia . There are 2 million people in America who have aphasia , but many people never even heard of it .

7WHAT ARE THE COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT STROKE PATIENTS WITH APHASIA ? It is not a loss of intelligence . It is a problem communicating , and people can be helped even 10 years after they first were diagnosed . Recovery and progress is different for a younger person than an older person .

8I ' LL LIKE TO ADD : There are new studies showing that the brain can make new networks and heal , which can improve the communication ability of a person with aphasia .