Its six years ago .. (1999 - 2005) I think I speak quite well now and friends tell me that my speech continues to improve. My mother tongue is Spanish which is more fluent. Speaking English needs more concentration and understanding is more difficult, especially in larger groups and with noise around. To understand numbers is real difficult, much easier to read and understand them.

Before my stroke I was right-handed. I now use my left for writing. This is a struggle, also with grammar and spelling, but I accept that's the way it is. Some time after my stroke I thought if I could learn to read the bible again I could read anything. And that's the way it turned out! My stepson Nicholas gave me my first book, after four years, Historia de una gaviota y del gato que le enseño a volar' and I enjoyed Roald Dahl's very funny 'Los Cretinos'. The BMA sends me the British Medical Journal which I part-read. If I give myself enough time and with concentration it works quite well. Another favourite book is 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

I have been involved in Stroke/Aphasia volunteering ever since my husband and I initiated Glos-Speak four years ago. I am also part of Connect-Bristol planning group, the national communication disability network, and whenever I can, I attend Cotswold & Vale PCT Stroke Planning Services and volunteer at Cheltenham's Hospital stroke ward.

Talking to other aphasia groups and attending meetings involves some travel. In January 2OO5 I volunteered in some bi-lingual aphasia research at the Institute for Neurology, London which was very interesting.

I have made great efforts to find work and hope and pray
I will find something one day!