Press release -
Westerham stroke survivor adds his voice to Lost for Words campaign
A group of 30 stroke survivors and carers from the Stroke Association’s Turkey Mill Singers in Maidstone are adding their voice to charity’s latest campaign: Lost for Words.
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.
In 2013 Terry Wallis, 71, from Westerham, had a stroke which left him paralysed on the right hand side of his body. He was also left with the communication difficulty, aphasia.
Terry and his carer Wendy have attended the Stroke Association’s Turkey Mill Singers choir since it first started in November 2014. Wendy said: “After Terry’s stroke, he could only really say the word ‘no’. He was working as an electrical engineer at the time, but had to give that up.
“I really had to convince Terry to give the choir group a go – he shook his head to begin with, but after a lot of persuasion, he came with me.
“Since joining we’ve never looked back. The choir gives Terry a confidence boost, and a place for him to meet other people who are going through a similar journey as he is.
“Terry’s next goal is to sing a nursery rhyme to our four year old granddaughter Amber, and to convince the choir to sing a Rolling Stones song!”
Tara Galloway, Area Manager for the Stroke Association in the South East Coast, said: “After a stroke, around one in three people like Terry have difficulty communicating, which can be both terrifying and isolating. Terry is a huge inspiration and it’s been fantastic to see his confidence grow as he performs.
“Singing is an important part of a stroke survivor’s recovery; it is often easier for people to communicate through song than speech because a different part of the brain is used. As well as singing, we want to build the confidence of our members too.
“We’re really proud of all the members in the Turkey Mill Singers and look forward to working on new songs in the New Year.”
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.
For more information about the Turkey Mill Singers, please contact mrtimstillwell@outlook.comor call 07745 103811.
Topics
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
