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Hanka Mayhew: A Polyglot’s Journey Through Aphasia and Advocacy

Hanka Mayhew lived in Spain for 11 years with her husband and three children, speaking five languages and working as an English teacher and translator until a massive brain bleed left her with aphasia and unable to speak. After three months in hospital in Spain and three in England, she spent a year in a wheelchair relearning how to live. On the Tip of My Tongue podcast, she explains that English and German are easiest, Spanish is slowly returning with little practice, and she can understand some French and Russian but cannot speak them; she retained reading ability but reads more slowly. In February 2024 she joined the Aphasia International Association and became a Say Aphasia ambassador, traveling to assemblies and conferences across Europe and giving talks with therapist support to raise awareness and build an international aphasia community.

00:00 Life in Spain
00:22 Stroke and Aphasia
00:58 Recovery Journey
01:11 Languages After Stroke
03:09 Reading and Fatigue
03:57 Joining AIA and Speaking
05:20 Aphasia Day in Italy
05:53 Future Plans and Travel
07:36 AIA Community and Outreach
11:05 Final Reflections

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This podcast is funded by https://www.bas.org.uk

To watch Jonathan’s film: https://tipofmytonguefilm.com

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The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia website

http://aphasiatavistocktrust.org

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In this episode of 'On the Tip of My Tongue,' hosts Rob Edwards and Jonathan Hirons with guest Dr. Abi Roper explore how artificial intelligence can assist people with Aphasia in finding their voices again. The discussion covers the ways AI aids in simplifying text, improving written communication, and developing speech recognition technologies. The episode features Jez Hodgkinson, who created an AI-driven app to help with word-finding and introduces Robert Baldcock, a musician using AI-based personalized voice technology. The conversation highlights both the promise and pitfalls of AI in this field, addressing issues such as AI's limitations in real-time conversations and the need for co-designing tools that are genuinely empowering for users with Aphasia.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:21 Understanding Aphasia and AI's Potential
01:03 Dr. Abi Roper on AI and Aphasia
01:42 AI's Role in Simplifying Text
02:39 Speech Recognition Challenges and Advances
04:48 Jez Hodgkinson's AI App for Word Finding
07:26 Chatbots and Human Conversation
10:41 AI's Limitations and Hallucinations
12:33 Visual Support and Multimodal Communication
14:09 Robert Baldock Personalized Synthetic Voice
17:03 Co-Designing AI Tools with People with Aphasia

Support the show

Support the show: Donate Now

This podcast is funded by https://www.bas.org.uk

To watch Jonathan’s film: https://tipofmytonguefilm.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tipofmytonguefilm

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhirons/

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The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia website

http://aphasiatavistocktrust.org

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In this episode of 'On the Tip of My Tongue,' hosts Rob Edwards and Jonathan Hirons delve into the world of AI and its applications in treating Aphasia, a debilitating condition affecting language abilities, following brain injuries like strokes. Joining them is Dr. Abi Roper from City, St. George's University, London. Dr. Roper discusses how AI tools, like speech recognition technologies and AI-driven text simplification, benefit individuals with Aphasia by aiding communication and daily tasks. She also addresses the limitations of AI, such as its inability to fully replicate human conversational skills and the importance of verifying AI-generated information. The episode highlights ongoing research and projects aimed at harnessing AI in therapy, underscoring AI's potential to support but not replace human therapists.

00:00 Introduction to AI and Aphasia
01:18 Meet Dr. Abby Roper
01:43 AI's Role in Assisting Aphasia
03:13 Speech Recognition and Practical Uses
05:25 Challenges and Limitations of AI
27:07 The Future of AI in Therapy
30:35 Conclusion and Resources

Support the show

Support the show: Donate Now

This podcast is funded by https://www.bas.org.uk

To watch Jonathan’s film: https://tipofmytonguefilm.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tipofmytonguefilm

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhirons/

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The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia website

http://aphasiatavistocktrust.org

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In this episode, Rob Edwards and Jonathan Hirons host Chris Greenhough, a stroke survivor with aphasia who leads support groups, and Lisa Thomas, a senior speech and language therapist with the NHS. They discuss the impact of aphasia, a condition affecting the brain's language capabilities, and the importance of community support and therapy. Chris shares his journey of recovery and involvement in running aphasia support groups, while Lisa talks about the challenges and successes in creating community communication groups. They also touch on the difficulties of raising awareness about aphasia and the need for better support from businesses and transport facilities to help individuals access group sessions.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:38 Understanding Aphasia

01:16 Chris's Journey with Aphasia

01:42 Lisa's Role and Contributions

02:06 Chris's Aphasia Groups

04:58 Lisa's Connection to Say Aphasia

06:56 Challenges and Solutions in Aphasia Care

10:36 Group Activities and Social Impact

14:52 Transport Issues and Community Support

22:06 Raising Awareness and Future Goals

24:49 Conclusion and Resource

https://www.sayaphasia.org/worcester

Support the show

Support the show: Donate Now

This podcast is funded by https://www.bas.org.uk

To watch Jonathan’s film: https://tipofmytonguefilm.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tipofmytonguefilm

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhirons/

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The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia website

http://aphasiatavistocktrust.org

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AI and Aphasia: Overcoming Communication Barriers

In this episode of 'On the Tip of My Tongue' podcast, Jez shares his personal journey with Aphasia following a severe stroke in 2016. He discusses the challenges he faced in communicating and how he overcame them by starting a local Aphasia support group during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jez also delves into his long-standing interest in AI, dating back to the 1980s, and explains how AI has significantly advanced in recent years. He introduces an AI-powered app he developed to assist Aphasia sufferers in recalling words more easily. The conversation highlights the potential of AI to support individuals with communication difficulties while noting the broader implications of AI technology in society.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
00:15 Overcoming Aphasia: Personal Journey
01:28 Community Involvement and Support Groups
03:17 Introduction to AI and Early Experiences
05:14 Developing an AI App for Aphasia
15:41 Practical Uses of AI in Daily Life
22:27 Challenges and Future of AI
25:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Say Aphasia Group Winchester and Southampton

https://www.sayaphasia.org/winchester

Support the show

Support the show: Donate Now

This podcast is funded by https://www.bas.org.uk

To watch Jonathan’s film: https://tipofmytonguefilm.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tipofmytonguefilm

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhirons/

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The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia website

http://aphasiatavistocktrust.org

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Transformative Power of Music Therapy with Elizabeth Nightingale

In this podcast episode of 'On the Tip of My Tongue,' hosts Rob Edwards and Jonathan Hirons are joined by Elizabeth Nightingale, a neurological music therapist. The discussion delves into the impactful role of music therapy across various fields, including stroke recovery, pediatrics, and palliative care. Elizabeth shares insights into the innovative programs at Chilton Music Therapy, which blend music with community outreach and online learning. The conversation also covers the specifics of music therapy for Aphasia patients, highlighting the cognitive and emotional benefits, the development of new neural pathways, and the creation of supportive communities. The episode emphasizes the nationwide accessibility of these services through online platforms, making therapeutic music interventions available even in remote and under-served areas.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:54 Meet the Hosts and the Topic of Aphasia

01:49 Welcoming Elizabeth Nightingale

02:23 Overview of Chiltern Music Therapy

03:57 Impact of Music Therapy on Various Conditions

05:22 The Science Behind Music Therapy

07:23 Online Aphasia Music Therapy Groups

09:13 Access and Participation Details

18:23 Promoting the Online Groups

21:24 Concluding Remarks and Resources

For more info about Chiltern and Aphasia

https://www.chilternmusictherapy.co.uk/stories/use-your-voice-aphasia

Support the show

Support the show: Donate Now

This podcast is funded by https://www.bas.org.uk

To watch Jonathan’s film: https://tipofmytonguefilm.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tipofmytonguefilm

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhirons/

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The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia website

http://aphasiatavistocktrust.org

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International Aphasia Awareness Campaign with Claire Bennington

In this episode of 'Tip of My Tongue,' hosts Rob Edwards and Jonathan Hirons speak with Claire Bennington, chairperson of the Australian Aphasia Association and an experienced speech and language therapist. Claire shares her extensive experience working with adults with Aphasia, details her involvement with the Australian Aphasia Association since 2018, and discusses her PhD project, which focuses on co-designing a unified international Aphasia awareness campaign. The conversation covers the current fundraising initiatives, the challenges of raising awareness for Aphasia, and the ways listeners can get involved. Claire also highlights the importance of global collaboration and multi-language accessibility for the campaign materials aiming to make a significant impact on Aphasia awareness worldwide.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
01:24 Understanding Aphasia
02:01 Claire Bennington's Background and Role
03:47 Challenges and Activities of the Australian Aphasia Association
06:19 Fundraising Efforts and Campaigns
09:03 Global Aphasia Awareness Campaign
17:29 Conclusion and How to Get Involved

To donate to Claire's Just Giving page, click here:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/qarc-uq-aphasia-awareness

To contact Claire about the Match the Momentum: Unite for Aphasia Awareness campaign

Claire Bennington - c.bennington@student.uq.edu.au>

Support the show

Support the show: Donate Now

This podcast is funded by https://www.bas.org.uk

To watch Jonathan’s film: https://tipofmytonguefilm.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tipofmytonguefilm

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhirons/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tipofmytonguepodcast/

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The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia website

http://aphasiatavistocktrust.org

Send us a text

Overcoming Aphasia: Robert Baldock’s Journey and Advocacy

This episode of 'On the Tip of My Tongue' features Robert Baldock, a Scottish-based composer and new media artist who experienced a severe ischemic stroke in 2017, resulting in acute aphasia and severe verbal dyspraxia. Robert shares his journey through his stroke, the challenges he faced with communication, and his path to recovery. He discusses his innovative use of technology and alternative communication methods, including a synthetic voice developed from his radio recordings. Additionally, Robert talks about his advocacy efforts for the reinstatement of the thrombectomy procedure in Scotland, demonstrating his resilience and commitment to helping others. For more information on strokes and aphasia, listeners are directed to several helpful resources.

00:00 Introduction to Robert Baldock
00:50 Understanding Aphasia
01:33 Robert's Stroke Experience
03:26 Life After Stroke
07:09 Communication Challenges and Solutions
08:43 Advocacy and Campaigning
09:33 Conclusion and Resources

For more information about Robert and Andy Fielding (AKA MC Zirconium) is on their website

https://www.projectmoonbase.com

Robert's original music can be found on his Band Camp website

https://aleatorymusicsystems.bandcamp.com/music

Support the show

Support the show: Donate Now

This podcast is funded by https://www.bas.org.uk

To watch Jonathan’s film: https://tipofmytonguefilm.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tipofmytonguefilm

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhirons/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tipofmytonguepodcast/

X: http://x.com/buffaloloungeuk

The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia website

http://aphasiatavistocktrust.org