On Our Mind
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides integrated healthcare services including intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire.
Our On Our Minds blog shares lived experiences from colleagues at the Trust and patients who use or have used our services on a variety of topics from a wide range of services.
Notts man relearns communication after stroke thanks to Trust’s Community Stroke team
For Aphasia Awareness Month, we're sharing Niall's story who experienced a stroke at 73 leaving him with aphasia, a condition that affects the brain and causes problems with speech and language. With the support from the Trust's speech and language therapists, Niall is making positive strides in his recovery.
Niall suffered a stroke when he was 73. He is a retired Primary School Teacher and lives with his wife Ann.
In October 2025, Ann noticed something was wrong with Niall as he was complaining of a headache at the back of his head. Niall had also written a shopping list earlier that day and had made mistakes which was unusual.
"I just felt odd, and it got progressively worse", explained Niall. "Ann called NHS 111 for advice and an ambulance arrived shortly afterwards, as I was struggling with my speech but could rise my arms. This got worse in a short space of time.
"I was in hospital for two weeks at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham where I was treated with a mechanical thrombectomy, a stent procedure where they removed a blood clot from my brain using special tools passed through a catheter. After a further two weeks in Daybrook rehabilitation unit, I was discharged from hospital. However, I started to feel funny and not quite right and had to return to hospital as the stent had become blocked.
"Initially, I couldn't read or speak at all whilst in hospital. I could understand everything but could not communicate which was very frustrating. I attended communication groups in Daybrook rehabilitation which helped."
Niall was referred to the Trust's Community Stroke team where a speech and language therapist supported him with his aphasia.
Kate McTaggart, Speech and Language Therapist at the Trust, said:
"Niall's improvement since he first started with the Community Stroke team has been remarkable. He initially had input from physiotherapy and occupational therapy but was discharged, and now he is having speech and language therapy with support from Joe, a rehabilitation support worker.
"When I first met Niall in November 2025, shortly after he was discharged from hospital the second time, he struggled to read anything longer than single words at a time and doing so would exhaust him. In the new year he reached a turning point as his fatigue improved significantly and, along with this, his progress in rehabilitation has skyrocketed. I remember starting a session and seeing that he was reading a novel again for the first time and feeling emotional at how far he had come. He is now able to have long conversations about very complicated topics, and he has fewer word finding difficulties. When he first had his stroke, he was only able to say the word "no" and could not ask to go to the toilet or have a drink whilst in hospital. We are so proud of Niall and his supportive wife Ann and encourage him to look back at how far he has come."
Niall added: "Due to my aphasia and my communication needs, the first book that Ann brought in was a Mr Men Wizard book, which I found really hard due to fatigue and with understanding. However, I worked through lots of bitesize short article and books and six months later I am now reading complicated novels, with help from my speech and language therapist.
"With my aphasia, I find that there are barriers to accessing services and I need support. I really struggle on the phone as I can't communicate easily, such as when I talk to my bank, and I need help with that.
"Other aspects of my stroke that has affected me is being unable to enter my pin code when shopping but with practice, I am now able to do this.
"I have also been unable to drive since my stroke as I was waiting for my road driving assessment but unfortunately, I failed this as I have issues with my arm so I cannot drive anymore."
Having a stroke and aphasia has meant Ann has had to take more responsibility, having to start driving again after 10 years and helping Niall communicate in cafes and shops, which has been a huge shock and adjustment.
"It has really frustrated me being unable to communicate and unable to express my needs. It's a shock waking up one day and your whole life has changed - what was once there isn't there anymore."
Although the stroke has changed Niall and Ann's life, Niall looks back on how far he has come.
"Both Kate and Joe have different attributes and have been brilliant supporting me. Joe has really encouraged me with reading and wants me to do more. My writing has got much better too, and they have suggested I expand on this and write a handwritten letter to my sister. They encourage me to speak on the telephone and be confident to be able to respond if things go wrong or something happens unexpectedly.
"The speech and language therapy has been ongoing, and it has made a big difference. I am more confident now bringing me out of my comfort zone. I always come away from sessions feeling good."
Niall's story is a powerful reminder of the lasting impact a stroke can have and how aphasia shows how much we take communication for granted. Raising awareness, recognising the signs and supporting early recovery is so important.
Find out more information about the Trust's Community Stroke Team and about stroke information and support or aphasia and communication. You can also find out more on the NHS website.
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