Are you locked-in and unable to articulate your thoughts and emotions?
You’re feeling alone, lost, and invisible to the rest of the world. Being unable to speak after a stroke is the most devastating tragedy one can experience. Nobody ever expects to lose their voice.
You’re living in a constant agonizing feeling of doom, while suffering the daily pain and frustration of being unable to talk.
You’re a slave, within your own mind.
You feel stupid. You are embarrassed. You are living within one’s inner self, as you hear your mind spit out uncensored words — ohhh d*mn — ohhh sh*t — ohhh f*ck.
The torture is unbearable.
You want to explode, but you can’t. It’s building and you are expecting it to burst — like a volcano blows.
It’s time to do some housekeeping. Take hold. Get things in order. Set your plan, so you can improve your speech.
Get rid of those negative thoughts, and start believing you can do this. You “must” believe in yourself, if you want it to work.
Set the stage . . . start choosing your way to talk again. Here are 17 ways you can begin.
It’s All About You
Take the time and invest in yourself. Start getting your house in order, and invade your inner soul.
- Sit or stand in front of a mirror. Breath through your nose and out through your mouth. This will relax you. Think of one word while you do this, and exercise your brain — Close your eyes, see the word, breath in and out, and speak the word to yourself.
- Add a word a week to your vocabulary. Repeat it out loud and daily throughout the day. Repetition is a key.
- Read not only to yourself, but try reading aloud. Think about it. As you read, you are speaking to yourself silently. Try to speak the words out loud, as though you are reading to somebody. If you can only say one word, as you read long — that’s ok. Say it. Then build from there. Keep reading, keep speaking, and start doing it 5–10 minutes a day.
- The same thing happens when you write. You are speaking to yourself. Type, print, or scribble any word you choose. Pay attention. As you write it, you are silently saying the word to yourself. Then try saying it aloud. Stay positive and don’t panic. Stay calm and don’t beat yourself up. It may take some time. If you can’t speak a word, go to another. Just don’t surrender to the moment.
- Set a schedule to practice your speech. Stick to the agenda. Compile a card file for the words you are speaking – reading – and writing. Enjoy the eye-opening adventure, and grab hold of the sensation running through your body, causing a life changing splendor.
Don’t hear it Being Said — “Listen” To It Being said
You are brave — you are brilliant — you are courageous. Your words are securely sealed within you. You must listen, in order to be heard. You must listen to the spoken words.
6. You must re-learn your speaking. You must add to your vocabulary. Listen
to radio talk shows, listen to TV, and listen to those around you speaking. Listen — and listen closely.
7. There are those that cannot speak, but they can sing. Why? Because singing is controlled in a different part of the brain. Some survivors have damage to both parts and therefore, will have a problem with speaking and singing.
Find one of your favorite songs and try singing along with it — see what happens. Try singing, “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”. Everybody knows that one from their childhood or you can go here.
8. Pay attention to the mouth, as people speak. Are they putting their lips together, such as when speaking the letter mmm — their teeth together when speaking sss — or their tongue to their teeth when saying a word with – th. Try to mimic them, as you are watching and listening. Pick out a word here n’ there. See if this works for you.
Allow The Helping Hand — Bar None
Allow others to help enhance your healing. Don’t be stubborn — don’t be embarrassed — don’t be hard-nosed.
9. Sit at eye level. Let them say a word and you repeat it. Try again, and again. After the third try, don’t get frustrated – change the word.
10. Again, at eye level repeat after them, the vowels — a – e – i – o – u.
11.Repeat numbers after your aide speaks them — 1, 2, 3. One number at a time. Once you get that down, then try two, then three, and so on.
12. Learn the days of the week and the months of the year. Remember that repetition is a key.
13. Join an aphasia support group. If there is none in your area — start one. You can get help from organizations, churches, and medical facilities. They are always there to lend a helping hand. Give them the opportunity. You can probably find a meeting place through them — which would be step one.
14. Get a buddy system started, within the support group. Now — you become part of the helping hand. How awesome is that?
Prepare Your Speaking Toolbox
Seize hold of all the tools you can find. Don’t let them, just sit there. Open your toolbox everyday. Help empower yourself — and watch the jaw-dropping expressions from others, as you enrich your life.
14. Introductory aphasia cards are a must. They are usually the size of a business card.They will introduce you to others, that do not know you have a speech disorder. You can print one out for free here.
15. I personally took this Teaching of Talking course for over a year, and was amazed at how my son improved his speech. The teachings of this course are in my toolbox. My son is continuously improving his speech because of it. I get no payment for this link. I just loved the course, and still see the benefits from it. Free tips are given on a regular basis.
16. Go spend a morning at your library. It’s a great source for free videos and audio books. Take some home with you.
17. Your computer is a source for free printable worksheets to assist you in learning your words and math. Check this link out, and again — I get no payment for this link. It’s a tool. Put it in your toolbox.
Take hold . . . work through the frustrations of the unspoken. Move toward the beginning of a new life, as you speak.
“You” can empower yourself, shrink your embarrassment, and decrease the feelings of being doomed.
You can eliminate — living invisible.
You can relieve some of the stress, and lower the burden you carry within.
Remember, it’s all about you
You choose your way — your time — your life. Only you can make the decision to improve your speech.
Become part of a conversation.
Go for it! Engage yourself. Choose one of the 17 ways above. Then move forward to the second, the third, and so on. You don’t have to do them all to improve your speech. Choose what fits you.
Be patient with yourself.
Be kind to yourself.
Work hard, and you will see results.
Picture yourself starting a conversation — asking a question — being “visible” to those around you.
You are remarkable!
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NOT SURE 