In this film you will see Jim. When this film was made, it was nine months after his stroke. Jim has Dysarthria. This is caused by the weakness of the muscles of the face, mouth and breathing. Notice how much effort Jim has to use and how he has difficulty projecting or raising his voice. Some people like Jim may have difficulty with drooling or food pocketing at the side of their mouth. Dysarthria is not a problem understanding speech but of producing and forming the words because of weakness.

Alison:

“Can you tell me how long it was since you had your stroke?”

Jim:

“It’s last, last September and that” “I went to hospital till Christmas.” “I got out two days before Christmas.” “I got out just before and that’s me home after that.”

Alison:

“So you were in about three months in hospital?”

Jim:

“Aha.”

Alison:

“Jim do you find it difficult to use the telephone at home?”

Jim:

“No, not really.” “But getting the some, sometimes they get certain words that they did nay work right over the telephone eh.” “I’m sitting there too”

Alison:

“So some words don’t come over very well?”

Jim:

“Aye like some people don’t understand eh.” “But that’s what I’m saying, it’s better face to face with somebody and they understand it better eh.”

Alison:

“So face to face is better.”

Jim:

“Aye”

Alison:

“And you think they can sort of understand you better and see your gestures as well as the words.”

Jim:

“That’s right aye.”

Alison:

“Yeah, yeah.” “And are you nervous about using the telephone?”

Jim:

“No really, no, no.”

Alison:

“What do your family and friends do to help you with your communication?”

Jim:

“Well they just come and talk to me about things that, the football and that.” “That’s what they do eh.”

Alison:

“So things that you’re interested in. “

Jim:

“Aye, aye”

Alison:

“To engage you.”

Jim:

“Talking about football and that mainly.”

Alison:

“And what team do you support?”

Jim:

“Hibs”

Alison:

“Hibs”

Jim:

“Not much to talk about them eh.”

Alison:

“Jim is there anything that, any advice that you would give to people er, if they are trying to communicate with somebody that’s obviously had a stroke and their speech isn’t so good?”

Jim:

“One thing, be very patient with people eh.” “Because they don’t understand at first and take your time to see what they mean, make them known.” “Try to express yourself to them so that helps eh.”

Alison:

“And what about sort of if they are not sure of the word, does saying the word back and you’ll say that’s right or no that’s not what I said, does that…?”

Jim:

“Say to them that’s no right.” “Say it this way and they understand what you’re talking about eh.” “If the person can’t understand you eh because you feel that stupid eh, but it’s just frustration eh.”

Alison:

“Yeah and like you were saying before face to face is better.”

Jim:

“Aye, aye”

Alison:

“Yeah”

Jim:

“Better talking to me face to face and see changing expressions on the face, you can tell from that too.”

Alison:

“Aha”