Hi i lost the ability to speak after my accident in 2007 and its starting to come back so am atending speach and language therapy

[nick_01]

But for some reason i really dont care so i dont want to practice. I was wondering if this is normal or am i just being lazy????

[SAMBS]

I didn't lose the ability to speak just to speak normally for a while but I had the same last year with a speech therapist - except in France - not exactly easy as she didn't speak much english. Castigated me for speaking slowly - something I've always done since a child, when I had elocution lesson at school, which made me speak, clearly and slowly so I enunciated every word or phrase precisely.

The exercises the therapist here gave me here included saying peculiar things repetitively in french and then same word in English - albeit they are pronounced differently but she also made me really stretch my tongue out of my mouth as far as I could - only thing was it really made me feel sick - why? .....

.....because the tongue is a muscle that goes right down to the stomach apparently and I never knew that! So out of 10 sessions booked by my doctor I attended 3 only and cancelled the rest - like you I gave up practicing. I still speak slowly, always will, but at least 10 months on now I don't trip up over as many words as I used to, unless I get excitable and speak faster and the words just get jumbled up when I do.

Are you lazy or is it normal, perhaps like me you found it all too frustrating, but I can't answer your Question, sorry!

[davesdad]

Hello Nick,

You are NOT being lazy, absolutely and certainly NOT.

But not caring about an improvement in your condition (even if it is only a small one) is not normal either.

Having read some of your previous posts it seems to me (thought I am no expert) that your ability to motivate yourself has been seriously reduced as a result of your accident. This feeling of "not caring" is most likely a result of your injury and so you are not being lazy when you feel that you can't be bothered to do stuff because it is your injury that makes you feel that way.

However, in the same way that your ability to speak has returned a little, your ability to get on with life might well come back too. Don't beat yourself up over difficulties that you have no control over and don't give up, keep on doing your best and things will get better - after all I bet you did not expect that your voice would start to come back after so long did you?

God Bless

[headchild in reply to davesdad]

Hi Nick my daughter lost her speech due to a brain tumour. She was given a litewriter by the speech therapy Dept in our local hospital. We also did two Makaton (sign language) workshops topgether. These also helped us to quickly communicate if needed. Eventually as my daughter improved I asked for her to have an app with the speech therapist who gave her exercises (one was blowing a ping pong ball across the table with a straw ) I suppose the difference is my daughter wanted to ditch the litewriter whilst you seem apprehensive. As Davesdad says this reluctance could be part of your current condition, hopefully the will to speak again and continue with speech therapy will return

[nick_01 in reply to davesdad]

Thanks xx

[cat3]

I doubt it's laziness Nick. You've coped for around 6 years without your speech so maybe it means another step into the unknown getting it back again ? But you have to admit it's pretty amazing after all this time and who knows what else might be restored. I'm sure this post will give hope to others.

I can appreciate how you would have motivation issues after all that's happened, but I hope you can continue to pursue the therapy, it could ultimately prove such an advantage in your daily life.

I'm wondering whether you've been especially depressed recently ?

[nick_01 in reply to cat3]

Why does depression matter?

[cat3 in reply to nick_01]

Because it can prevent people from functioning, even to do stuff that's in their best interest. There has to be a reason why you don't care about speaking, and developing it further when (I think) most people would agree it would be a significantly easier method of communication. But I appreciate that you have your own reason for the reluctance and, with not much to go on, I'm trying to find out what that reason might be.

There's a lot of guesswork involved sometimes when trying to help someone, and forgive me if I've got it wrong, but I'd be surprised (but pleased) if you said you're not depressed.

Some of your posts in the past have given that impression...........quite strongly.

Would love to help you Nick. x

[nick_01 in reply to cat3]

Hi thanks i think i don't care because there is no 1 in my life 2 talk with And so there is no 1 to try 4 if u no what i mean p.s why u trying to help me why do u care. Sorry if that's a bit harsh x

[cat3 in reply to nick_01]

Sorry for delay Nick. I visit my sister-in-law on Thursdays since my brother died..........she's pretty broken-up.........& I've just got home.

In answer to your question 'Why do you care' Firstly it isn't harsh....it's a fair question and quite ok to query people's motives........except that I don't actually have any. I joined Headway after I suffered a SAH because I was suffering various after-effects and fancied talking to others who could empathise & maybe offer practical suggestions or emotional support. And I gradually became interested in other types of brain trauma and the personalities behind them........in other words I became a member of a trusted community where there's always someone ready to listen.

But I find myself thinking about certain individuals long after I've put the lap-top away, even worrying about them. And there's no particular motive, it's just second-nature to me to care.........and there are many others here who, I know, feel the same.

Hope that goes some way to answer your question.

A final point.......Avoid over-thinking everything & try to achieve just for the sake of achievement, it's a great confidence booster.

I'm hoping for a response tomorrow. x

[nick_01]

Ok thanks

[nick_01]

Chose to end my speech and language appointments

[cat3 in reply to nick_01]

Nick, I thought the "Ok thanks" was the final comment on this thread but now I find there's another........... two days later. I'm still really interested to know how you're doing, especially since giving up the language therapy. Can you let me know how you are, either here or by private message ?