Fear

Yesterday members of the St. Vincent's Aphasia Group met.
The topic was "Fear".
Here are some of the fears that were mentioned:
Initially, the fear of not being able to talk again.
Later, the fear of having to speak - for example, calling on the phone or being approached by a waiter.
Fear of having another stroke, especially immediately after the stroke.
Fear of doing things - "How will I do this?"

Not knowing how to do things is a result of several factors:
1. Not knowing how to compensate for a physical deficit.
2. Not knowing how to compensate for a cognitive deficit.
3. Part of the aphasia is lacking the words to describe to oneself
how to carry out a task or solve a problem.
4. Part of the stroke can be forgetting how to do certain things.

Everyone agreed that life goes on. Fears fade as we gain experience with ourselves and the tasks. Sometimes the fear may be real, but we can't restrict our lives because of fear. Live one day at a time, and live life to the fullest!