On the tip of my tongue  Por  arte de portada

On the tip of my tongue

De: Jonathan Hirons and Rob Edwards
  • Resumen

  • In January 2019, while working in London, Jonathan Hirons’s life suddenly changed.

    He remembers sitting in a business meeting with colleagues discussing a work project when he “began to feel strange”.

    Jonathan soon found that he couldn’t make changes to the document he was working on, and he began to struggle to find the words to speak.

    Fortunately, realising something was very wrong, his colleagues acted quickly and called an ambulance.

    Jonathan was rushed to University College Hospital, where CT and MRI scans showed he had suffered a stroke caused by a bleed on the brain. He spent five nights in hospital and was diagnosed with aphasia.

    Following Jonathan’s stroke, many everyday things became a struggle, including work. “My work stopped on that day,” he explained. “Initially, I couldn’t speak properly, and I was unable to read or write”.

    Additionally, Jonathan couldn’t remember much of where he lived. He remembered his postcode, but not his address, mobile number and the PIN for his bank account. Jonathan also sometimes had trouble understanding what was being said to him. He could, however, sign his name.

    This was a worrying time for Jonathan and his loved ones. He had to stop driving. His wife, Ann, ensured he carried a card with his name and address and contact numbers.

    However, recognising the importance of starting the rehabilitation process as soon as possible, Ann also encouraged Jonathan to begin reading out loud.

    Every day a small amount of time was set aside to read a few lines of a book. In addition, Ann started using nursery school flashcards to help Jonathan with word recognition and writing.

    When speech therapy started, Jonathan vastly improved and is now at the point where he can read and write more fluently.

    “Over time and with much help from my wife and speech therapists, I got my speech, my reading and my writing back on track,” said Jonathan. “Even now, I find reading and writing difficult, particularly if I’m tired and I still get words mixed up, but I’m a lot better”.

    Jonathan is now using his experiences and creative skills to help others impacted by aphasia with his film ‘On the Tip of my Tongue.’

    After successful funding campaigns, help from the Tavistock Trust and support with PR, the film was finished in September 2022.

    “Currently, I am showing it to people in the health industry as a training resource: it recently has been successfully presented to Carers UK,” said Jonathan. He has also produced a film called ‘What is aphasia?’

    “So here I am four years later, and I’m still wanting to put the word out about aphasia, so if you read this, please pass it on to as many people as you can so that we can keep the interest going,” he added.

    Jonathan said he wants people to understand that aphasia is a hidden disability and that he feels there is a lack of support once the initial rehabilitation is over.

    “The main problem with aphasia is it is very difficult to explain. People say, ‘you seem fine,’ but they don’t know about [difficulties with not] being able to form words quickly or following a conversation in a group. Just because you have lost your words, it does not mean you have lost your intellect.

    “Recovery from strokes and head injuries vary considerably. Some people can regain the ability to function independently others need more help. Help and support tends to come from charities and the family.” But despite the immense challenges faced by people living with aphasia, Jonathan’s message to others is one of hope. “Persevere. It may seem to be hopeless, but improvements will come. Engage with fellow sufferers and, if possible, join a group”.

    © 2024 On the tip of my tongue
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Episodios
  • On the tip of my tongue Episode 3 - Caring and carers - Michael Shann
    Jun 11 2024

    Send us a Text Message.

    In this episode, we talk to Michael Shann, Head of Carer Support at Carers UK. Michael is an experienced change management professional with over 25 years’ experience with three leading charities and the NHS.

    Carers UK is the leading national charity for unpaid carers.
    It supports, advocate for, champion and connect carers across the UK, so that no one has to care alone.

    Making life better for carers

    Looking after someone can be a rewarding experience but it can also be lonely and bewildering.

    For almost 60 years Carers UK has been making life better for carers, raising their voices together to call for change and seek recognition and support.

    Guided by a Board of Trustees that's primarily made up of current and former carers, it is here to make life better for carers, listening to what carers tell us and rooted in the real experiences of its members.

    Support the Show.

    To watch Jonathan’s film: https://tipofmytonguefilm.com

    http://x.com/buffaloloungeuk
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhirons/

    The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia website

    http://aphasiatavistocktrust.org

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    23 m
  • On the tip of my tongue Episode 2 - Living with Aphasia and Charities
    May 15 2024

    Send us a Text Message.

    In this episode Jonathan Hirons and Rob Edwards talk to Barbara Chalk about running a charity for people with Aphasia.

    APHASIA

    "A lot of people's experience of aphasia is that nobody knows what it is and it's a hidden disability. Not being recognised as having something seriously wrong with you is incredibly frustrating"

    "Is there something, is this an insightful way to kind of talk about aphasia? Is there something inherent in the condition itself, being something to do with the voice rather than the body"

    ABOUT SAY APHASIA

    "The joy of it is it's run by people with aphasia. Now, you know, a lot of people with aphasia are quite young, working age, and if they can't go back to work, they're kind of, all their peers, all their friends will be working and they'll sit at home going feel so hopeless, I can't do anything."


    BARBARA CHALK

    Trustee of Say Aphasia - https://www.sayaphasia.org

    Barbara is a retired NHS speech and language therapist who specialised with adults with aphasia and other neurological conditions.

    Barbara has also worked as a personnel manager for a local business and is a director of an established online book business.

    She founded and was Chair of the charity, Living with Aphasia, in Exeter which joined forces with Say Aphasia in 2022.

    She believes in the positive impact the charity has on people living with aphasia.

    She will support their dedicated team to sustain their strong and successful future



    To watch Jonathan’s film: https://tipofmytonguefilm.com

    https://sayaphasia.org
    http://x.com/buffaloloungeuk
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhirons/

    The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia website

    http://aphasiatavistocktrust.org


    Support the Show.

    To watch Jonathan’s film: https://tipofmytonguefilm.com

    http://x.com/buffaloloungeuk
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhirons/

    The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia website

    http://aphasiatavistocktrust.org

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    33 m
  • On the tip of my tongue - Episode 1 Living with Aphasia
    Mar 19 2024

    Send us a Text Message.

    In this episode, Jonathan talks about his Aphasia with his lifelong friend, actor Rob Edwards. They discuss how Jonathan got Aphasia; what is Aphasia; Jonathan’s recovery and how is podcast with raise awareness for the condition.

    Support the Show.

    To watch Jonathan’s film: https://tipofmytonguefilm.com

    http://x.com/buffaloloungeuk
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhirons/

    The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia website

    http://aphasiatavistocktrust.org

    Más Menos
    24 m

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