Expressive Aphasia - Sarah Scott - Teenage Stroke Survivor

Summary

In this heartfelt conversation, Sarah Scott, a 19-year-old stroke survivor, shares her journey of recovery. After suffering a stroke in school, she faced challenges with speech and mobility, particularly dealing with aphasia. Despite the hurdles, Sarah remains positive, using speech therapy, writing, and horseback riding as part of her healing process. She also emphasizes the importance of perseverance, speaking out, and staying connected with loved ones. Her resilience shines through as she encourages other young stroke survivors to fight and not give up, with a touch of humor, dreaming of getting a puppy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sarah Scott, a 19-year-old, suffered a stroke while in English class, affecting her speech, memory, and physical abilities.
• 😀 She experienced physical symptoms, such as pins and needles in her arm and leg, following the stroke.
• 😀 Sarah was diagnosed with aphasia, a condition that impairs speech and language skills.
• 😀 Speech therapy plays a crucial role in Sarah's recovery, helping her improve her communication skills.
• 😀 Writing things down has become a helpful tool for Sarah, as it makes it easier for her to communicate when speaking is difficult.
• 😀 In addition to speech therapy, Sarah enjoys horse riding as part of her rehabilitation process.
• 😀 Sarah’s stroke was linked to a heart condition—a hole in her heart—which required surgery to fix.
• 😀 The surgery involved a device being inserted into her heart to close the hole, which was done through an incision in her groin.
• 😀 Despite the challenges, Sarah maintains a positive outlook on her recovery, emphasizing the importance of persistence and not giving up.
• 😀 Sarah encourages other young stroke survivors to fight, speak as much as they can, and remain hopeful throughout their recovery journey.

Q & A

What is Sarah Scott's age?

Sarah Scott is 19 years old.

What medical condition did Sarah suffer from last year?

Sarah suffered a stroke last year.

Where did Sarah experience the stroke?

Sarah had the stroke while she was in English class at school.

What physical effects did Sarah experience as a result of the stroke?

After the stroke, Sarah experienced symptoms like pins and needles in her arm and leg, as well as difficulties with speech and swallowing.

What speech condition does Sarah have as a result of the stroke?

Sarah has aphasia, which makes it difficult for her to speak and express herself clearly.

How does Sarah manage her speech difficulties?

Sarah uses a mixture of writing things down and speaking to communicate. Writing is sometimes easier for her, though speaking is also improving.

Has Sarah been able to read since the stroke?

No, Sarah has difficulty reading since the stroke, and she cannot read books at the moment, though she wants to.

What therapies or activities is Sarah participating in to aid her recovery?

Sarah is undergoing speech language therapy and also participates in horse riding and Connect, a program that connects people with aphasia.

What did Sarah say about her experience with her friends since the stroke?

Sarah mentioned that it is hard for her to speak with her friends because of her aphasia, which makes it difficult for her to communicate as she used to.

What medical procedure did Sarah undergo to address the underlying cause of her stroke?

Sarah had an operation to close a hole in her heart, which was identified as the underlying cause of her stroke.

What does Sarah want to tell other young people who have suffered a stroke?

Sarah advises other young stroke survivors to not give up, to keep fighting, and to keep speaking. She also humorously mentions that getting a dog could be a good idea.