About Us
Who is involved in the project?
• Carole Pound
• A research group of people with aphasia and communication disability
• Some artists with personal experience of aphasia
• Research supervisors from Brunel University
Carole
Carole carried out the research as part of her PhD studies.
Carole is a speech and language therapist by background. She used to work at Connect the communication disability network.
Her research and teaching interests include:
• identity and engagement in life after stroke,
• promoting communication access,
• supporting services designed and run by people with aphasia.
She has co-written and co-edited several books about aphasia including: the Stroke and Aphasia Handbook, Aphasia Inside Out, Beyond Aphasia and The Aphasia Therapy Files volumes 1 and 2.
Carole is a speech and language therapist by background. She used to work at Connect the communication disability network.
Her research and teaching interests include:
• identity and engagement in life after stroke,
• promoting communication access,
• supporting services designed and run by people with aphasia.
She has co-written and co-edited several books about aphasia including: the Stroke and Aphasia Handbook, Aphasia Inside Out, Beyond Aphasia and The Aphasia Therapy Files volumes 1 and 2.
Alan
Skills, stories and challenges Alan – Before stroke Head of Development and always has development hat on. Works at Connect and has been secretary to 3 aphasia groups. Interested in ‘Love for people with aphasia …and making that concrete. Friendship at the heart of what we do.’
Basia
I had my brain haemorrhage in 2000. Before that I was a HR Policy officer for City of Westminster 22 years, but I was Branch Secretary of UNISON for last four years. I was at active citizen then and now. Get involved and have a revolution! I was good at organising, negotiating, communicating. Frustrating to see that health service local stroke network doesn’t join up initiative in different areas of network. Politics, communicating, and not enough time, get in the way.
Beejal
Initially trained as an Optometrist but then the stroke put an end to all of that!….however now working part-time (though not doing eye exams) and at university also, re-training as a Psychologist. ‘It is hard work…but everyday I'm getting stronger and hopefully by the end of it I’ll be able to find a career that judges me like everybody else whilst taking account of my disabilities.’
Catriona
Catriona was working as a Deputy Head Teacher at the time of her stroke. She didn’t want to retire – or feel ready to retire. She was about 2 years into aphasia life ‘before I knew what aphasia was.’ At the start of the project she said she felt ‘nervous and excited about starting something new’
She enjoyed her role as Chairperson of the local stroke advancement group – ‘that’s good because at last the group is actually doing something’ . She felt ‘very skilled at giving my opinion’.
Sadly, Catriona passed away in October 2010. Her thoughts, stories and spirit continue to inspire the project.
She enjoyed her role as Chairperson of the local stroke advancement group – ‘that’s good because at last the group is actually doing something’ . She felt ‘very skilled at giving my opinion’.
Sadly, Catriona passed away in October 2010. Her thoughts, stories and spirit continue to inspire the project.
Cressida
Cressida’s last paid job (late 20s) before her brain haemorrhage and aphasia was as Policy and Monitoring Officer for Care & Repair England. She was also Chair of a local homelessness charity and on various other committees.
About one and a half years after her stroke, Cressida set up a self help group for people with aphasia in Nottingham and liaised with different organisations. She has had many partnerships with the Nottingham NHS SLT Department over the years. She was a Trustee of Self Help Nottingham and has had many different roles in Connect.
About one and a half years after her stroke, Cressida set up a self help group for people with aphasia in Nottingham and liaised with different organisations. She has had many partnerships with the Nottingham NHS SLT Department over the years. She was a Trustee of Self Help Nottingham and has had many different roles in Connect.
Harry
Had a stroke 21 years ago . Has developed skills in counselling, listening , empathy. Working at City University and Connect as a counsellor. Challenge of dealing with change - Running a counselling service without a team of counselling colleagues.
Jane
Previously worked as a lawyer with Civil Service. Wrote Financial Services and Markets Bill. Now helps run groups at Connect – Conversation Group, Music Group, Connected groups. Challenges now - ‘Living with aphasia’. Everything. Changes over time but all aspects of life affected. Frustration at some of the negative attitudes. The way people treat you differently.
Jasvinder
Deputy Head Teacher at time of stroke. When he went back to school as a classroom assistant felt it ‘gave me time to learn with the teacher...thank goodness the children accepted me cos you adults are all weird!’ Importance of respect. ‘Isolation is central to a person with aphasia. People don’t know about aphasia …its just silence.’ Importance of identity and ‘reconstituting identity’ when you have aphasia. Similar to the Palestinian troubles – people don’t know ...the history... both cases the silence...absolute silence. My passion ...who we are...what are we about...building networks is crucial...like a family’ .
Jerry
Lots of experience for lecturing and researching at – Northampton University, Manchester University, and City University for London. After my stroke with aphasia, starting to work as a volunteer, including Different Strokes, Connect, Stroke Association, Stroke Network, Greater Manchester and East Midland. My group at Northampton, coordinating the sessions including exercise, peer support, speakers and friendship.
jerryjohnson.weebly.com and www.differentstrokesnorthampton.co.uk
jerryjohnson.weebly.com and www.differentstrokesnorthampton.co.uk