Speech therapy helps stroke patient find the right words again

Learn more about MercyOne Stroke Care

After having three strokes, Tammy Miller, 57, of Mercer, Missouri had lost her ability to communicate. Conversing with others was extremely difficult for her, as she no longer knew what words to say.

“The strokes changed my life. I only knew a few family members and I’d forgotten about everything I once knew,” Tammy said.

Then she met Malinda Hancox, a speech-language pathologist at MercyOne Centerville Speech Therapy and her life began to improve.

Learn your stroke risk. Take our quiz. 

Learning how to communicate again

Malinda said when Tammy first came to see her, she had severe aphasia, a language disorder that affects the ability to communicate. Tammy couldn’t say the right words for objects. Additionally, she had trouble understanding and following conversations with her friends and family.

“We worked on word-finding by labeling objects and then in conversation with taught strategies, following multi-step directions, reading comprehension and memory.  When Tammy finished her therapy sessions, she could participate and follow along in conversation, remember things she read and recall personal information," Malinda said.

Regaining confidence through rehab

Because of therapy, Tammy began to feel more comfortable going out in public and talking to people. She gained more confidence and independence.

“Malinda is so kind, caring and understanding. She hugged me when I cried out in frustration and motivated me to never quit trying,” Tammy said. “I know I have a way to go, but I've made a lot of progress with cooking, driving and caring for myself, and it’s all because of my rehabilitation at MercyOne.”

Tammy’s life-changing experience at MercyOne has resulted in sincere gratitude, “My heart is full of love for Malinda and her staff who have taken such good care of me.”

If you think you’re at risk for a stroke, know the signs and consult your primary care provider.