Raising the issue of aphasia

3:21pm Thursday 7th July 2005

A STROKE sufferer has been helping to raise awareness about a little known condition at Whipps Cross University Hospital as part of Speak About Aphasia month.

Grace Chappell became aphasic in 2003 after a stroke, and now finds it difficult to deal with everyday tasks. She has language aphasia: she can say words and basic phrases like a cup of tea', but cannot have a conversation.

Her husband of 46 years, Jimmy, said: "Her stroke was a very frightening experience and since then she has had to re-learn how to speak, read and write, just like a child. It's not very nice when you have already done it all before."

Mrs Chappell was treated at Whipps Cross, and has been getting treatment in the hospital's speech and language therapy department.

Therapist Jackie Albert said: "It's very frustrating for patients like Grace. Aphasia doesn't affect intelligence; they can have the words in their head but they can't say them out loud. They also have problems putting words into sentences and thoughts and ideas into words."

There are aphasia groups running in Chingford and Walthamstow which give advice and support to aphasia sufferers and their families.

If you want to know more about the condition, call Jackie Albert on 8535 6795.