Aphasia, My World Alone

by Helen Harlan Wulf

Book Overview

From the Introduction:

Sudden and unexpected loss of communication is a terrifying, dehumanizing experience that tears away at the essence of life itself.

For decades, speech and language pathologists have sought to better understand it. The term aphasia is used to generally describe a condition whereby speech and language skills are partially or totally lost. Aphasia is the result of damage to or disturbance of those areas in...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0814318231
• ISBN13: 9780814318232
• Release Date: July 1986
• Publisher: Wayne State University Press
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Unique and Uplifting

Helen Harlan Wulf's first person account of her bout with aphasia is a rarity. Aphasia is a condition which often results from a stroke, causing damage to some or all of the language and speech areas of the brain. It can affect speaking, reading, auditory comprehension, and/or writing. Due to its often profound effect on writing abilities, written accounts are rare. As a graduate student of speech and language pathology, this book was a valuable resource. It would be equally valuable for those in other medical/health professions working with aphasics, recovering aphasics, family members or friends of those suffering from aphasia, and anyone interested in learning more about this interesting and tragic condition. While her tale sometimes wanders and repeats itself, it is, overall, a readable and complete account. She does not hesitate to share embarrassing moments and samples of her attempts at writing. Most importantly, she remains positive. She does not sugar-coat her difficulties in movement or struggles with fatigue, but manages to chart her progress and her faith in the ability of all aphasics to regain functional lives.