Author: JackQue Day

Dear Aphasia Hope Foundation,

I am writing you at the encouragement of Roger Ross who is a local leader that brings people together for aphasia and stroke groups.

My name is JackQue Day and four years ago I had a massive stroke and lost everything except life itself. I had to learn everything all over again; how to walk, talk, read, and write. I was global aphasic so I had to start at the very beginning like a child. It took lots of effort before I began to regain my comprehension. I didn’t know my left from my right for the longest time. I didn’t have a clue where north or south was; I could even get lost in my own backyard.

I could have wallowed in my own pity, yet instead of feeling sorry for myself, I decided to focus on getting well. I enrolled into the speech clinic at Arizona State University and for the next three years I began to relearn everything. Even though I still have a long way to go, I have made great strides in my recovery.

Somewhere along the way I began to write down my experiences. I found the humor in my situation and wrote a book entitled, “Oh My Gosh! I Had A Stroke!” Even though I have not found a publisher yet it has been the greatest therapy for me to write it all down and look back at how far I’ve come.

After the book was finished, I wrote two booklets, one for the stroke survivor and the other for the family, friends, and caregivers. Each booklet is self published, and is about 50 pages long with lots of illustrations and cartoons.

Everyone who has seen the booklets have loved them because for the first time they are reading about a stroke from a stroke survivor’s perspective. They are also very helpful for stroke survivors because they contain valuable information about living with aphasia, and recovering from a stroke. They are also very valuable to the caregivers and clinicians that work with stroke survivors.

God has given me another chance at life, so the least I can do is make my life worthwhile by making a small difference in the lives of those who have been touched by aphasia and stroke.

I know that these booklets can help many people. I am asking if you will review the booklets and include them in any of your foundation’s publications. That way more people will have an opportunity to benefit by knowing about them.