On Our Mind

Posted on 10 Jun 2024

As part of Aphasia Awareness Month, we’re sharing the story of Hannah.

Hannah was 39 when she experienced a stroke which left her with aphasia, a condition that affects the brain and causes problems with speech and language.

A year on from her stroke, Hannah’s fantastic motivation and the support from the Trust’s Community Stroke team, she is now on the road to recovery. 

Hannah’s story

Hannah, 41, works as a receptionist in the motor trade. She was 39 when she first collapsed alone in her house, unaware that she was having a stroke.

“I collapsed twice at home, about a month apart. The first time it happened, my right leg gave way, I was woozy, and I fell to the floor,” says Hannah. “I couldn’t move for about a minute. I thought nothing of it at the time, but it was when collapsed for the second time, that mum thought I should see a GP. All my tests and bloods were normal but a month later I had a full stroke at home.

“I couldn’t move my right arm and I kept falling down as I was trying to get out of bed. I went to the toilet on the floor but didn’t realise this. It was only when I went downstairs to feed the cat that I noticed myself in the mirror going back upstairs that something was not right. I tried to do something on my phone, but it took me ages to work it out and I was texting everything wrong.

“I rang my mum and realised I couldn’t speak or move my mouth. She knew something was wrong immediately and came straight round to my house and rang for an ambulance where I was transferred to the Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, and diagnosed with a stroke. 

“I was in hospital for 3 days and eventually started speaking, but it was hard to understand me, and I found it difficult to get my words out. I couldn't even say ‘dog’ and it was hard to say the ‘g’.

Kirsten Hilton, Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, and Jasmine Shah, Occupational Therapy, from the Trust’s South Notts Community Stroke team, have supported Hannah since her stroke diagnosis. 

Kristen said, “Hannah came to us with significant speech difficulties, although she did not have any language or word finding problems. I saw her initially 2 to 3 times a week and she was also given work to do between sessions.

“Hannah was highly motivated and made significant improvements but was self-conscious of her aphasia and concerned if she was going to manage at work with speaking on the phone and dealing with customers.”

Jasmine added “As an occupational therapist, my goal was to support Hannah in returning to work and driving. Hannah initially struggled with her thinking skills but demonstrated huge improvements following rehabilitation and has been able to make a full recovery. She has now returned to driving by passing a DVLA approved cognitive assessment.

Kirsten and Jasmine met with Hannah’s employers to support her return to work. They worked jointly to support her and continued to visit her on a regular basis at work to reinforce strategies around her speech and fatigue management, where she was able to complete a phased return back to work.

Hannah is now a year on from having her stroke and says “I still struggle to speak, and I am affected by fatigue. I also get tired in the afternoons at work and spend most weekends relaxing and not doing too much.

“I’ve had to just buckled down and carry on because I’ve had to. The stroke affecting my speech has made me very anxious, having to talk to people at work and in general.

Jasmine said, “Although Hannah struggled with fatigue management and communication, she remained motivated and determined throughout and has made an incredible recovery after her stroke. We are so proud that she was able to return to work and driving and that she is continuing to manage her ongoing deficits with strategies. Hannah will no doubt continue to progress with her stroke recovery. 

Kirsten added, “I think Hannah is a perfect example of how intensive input and close collaboration between multi-disciplinary colleagues can ensure that a person can return to their lives (work, driving, socialising). I am incredibly proud of Hannah and her drive and motivation as well as the close co-operation of myself and Jasmine.

“Losing your speech is so hard, especially when my job is answering the phones, says Hannah. I’m still working on my fatigue, trying to go out more in the evenings and stay out later as I am very tired by 8pm.

“Kirsten and Jasmine from the Community Stroke team and the stroke staff at the QMC have been amazing. I would not have got this far a year on without them.

For more information on our Community Stroke Team visit: www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/community-stroke-south-nottingham-county or for more information on stroke visit: www.stroke.org.uk