My brother Chris had a severe brain injury 5 months ago. He’s currently in rehab (NHS) where he’s been for 2 months as it took time to get a suitable rehab placement.
Chris’ injury was on the left side of his head. Initially, he couldn’t move his right arm but quickly got mobility and some strength back in his right hand. He was on his feet and walking with assistance within weeks and now fully without assistance.
Chris’ memory continually improves. He seems to have full understanding of the spoken language. The difficulty is with his speech which tends to be affected with left side injury. He’s also unable to read and write.
Chris manages a few basic words and occasionally several words at once spontaneously but cannot then repeat it. He recognises he struggles with his speech and feels it is impossible so engaging him in practice is a challenge too. The speech and language therapist doesn’t expect his speech will improve much more. It seems the speech therapy hasn’t helped it improve further as its actually no better than it was before he went to rehab.
This is obviously really hard to come to terms with and worry how Chris will cope especially given he is naturally very outgoing and sociable.
The speech therapist recommended a couple of Apps they use to assist with speech, memory and understanding, so will get these to hopefully get Chris to engage a bit to practice.
Does anyone have any tips, advice or experience to share, please? I’m constantly doing research to gain a better understanding and see what more can be done.
Thank you for your time.
Mel.
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HopeForChris
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My friend had a tracheostomy, which prevented speech for over a year, then came lockdown in the care home and limited opportunities to practice. However their speech has improved over time and whilst tricky to u derstand over a video call, face to face is much better. As philbou says, when tired, speech is affected so mornings are better than than afternoons. We have tried an app called Predictable, which takes some getting used to but is helpful when my friend is repeatedly misunderstood. Hope this is useful. Good luck.
hello and welcome to this group .. I had a bad stammer which got worse over the first few months but I’m over two and a half years past accident and although I struggle with some words and finding the right word I’ve improved dramatically .. by the time I’d seen the speech therapist it was nearly a year past accident ( my accident was in covid times ) I knew that singing was good for speech therapy and yes I could sing nursery rhythms with my granddaughter .. so I kept trying and singing so by the time I’d got to see the therapist I was already improving .. the speech therapist asked me if I would like to volunteer with the stroke befriending on speech issues which I have done now and from that I have also noticed continuing to attempt to talk has made improvement and also one person I saw had little to no speech couldn’t even say their children’s Names but could sing and it was really good so their partner told me as I didn’t get to hear them .. eight weeks I visited them and there speech did improve and also were connecting with all the conversations .. please keep talking and singing as mine improved and the person who had a massive stroke is still improving 12 months post stroke sue x
Hi Mel, my husband has left frontal lobe damage after a fall over a year ago. He was in hospital and rehab for 1 year. He has improved loads with his speech and memory. I made a memory book with photos and anything I could think of and I kept going through it with him.
He remembers a lot from the past but bad with names etc.
Keep chipping away at him and hopefully you will get more improvement
Hi Mel. Teazymaid's suggestion of singing to improve speech & word recall is one I've heard success stories of many times over the years. I still struggle on bad days, even 11 years post brain injury, but singing has helped greatly in improving confidence and word recall.
I also find that singing, full belt, alongside favourite CD tracks when driving is therapeutic (and strangely liberating) as is singing in the shower ! And a nephew of mine has had great success in overcoming his stutter over the past couple of years after his therapist recommended singing ...
Its' still early days though at 5 months, but I hope your brother doesn't stress too much about his difficulties ; stress will almost certainly slow down his progress.
Through 'My' Headway, Headway Essex (I should say 'North' now, as we gave a Fledgling Second Branch near Basildon/ Billericay.) I know a Man who uses a Light Writer, to Communicate. This 'Device' is placed in front of him, normally on a 'Holder'- for ease of use- and he literally Types into it, as it Vocalises his words........ OK it IS a bit 'Robotic- and American- but it Works!
If the man- Grant- Needs/ Wants anything unfortunately, often in the Toilet Department (Sorry), he can indicate this. Equally it Does 'allow him' to Participate in Group Games/ Discussions and, with some Slight Adjustments, even 'Who Am I' and 'Scrabble'.
Grant is, very clearly, a Highly Intelligent Man- with a Clear View of his 'Limitations' (and 'continence', or lack of it!) but otherwise Enjoys His Life, Despite 'Everything'.
Perhaps rather than concentrating, so much on Chris's Speech, maybe his 'ability/ies' to Communicate Generally. Chris may, very well, find this More Helpful, in any case.
I'm Not suggesting that you, actually Interfere, with Chris's Recovery- or indeed Criticize the Experts 'exactly'- BUT, as a Clearly Concerned Relative, it isn't at all 'Unreasonable' that you Should be Allowed some 'Input'. However Politeness is Key here, you are making Suggestions- trying to Help/ Be Of Assistance NOT Be In The Way! Put yourself in 'Their' Position..... you would, very much, appreciate some Helpful Input- 'Chris has Never Liked Beans' for example.
Can I finally say that All Our Prays are with you Both Mel- every one, of us, wishes Chris Well.
hello, if you aren’t satisfied ask to be referred back for speech therapy. I was told your speech is adequate from my speech therapist in the rehabilitation team after 10 weeks, but I was still struggling with word finding and pronunciation. I asked to be referred back with my GP, I had a further 18 months help from a different team, and my speech is so much more improved. It’s not always about speech, but your confidence in situations that speech is needed and how to navigate these. If you’re not happy refer again.
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