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Headlines 17 A choir, a toastmasters, and a book for those lost for words Imagine if that feeling, when a word is right on the tip of your tongue, happened every time you talked. F or people with aphasia recalling ‘that word’ for ‘that thing’ is a constant challenge. It is caused by damage to the parts of the brain that control language and is usually the result of a stroke, brain injury or a brain tumour. Written and spoken language can be affected, as well as language comprehension. Ian Marshall struggles to say the words he wants to say due to aphasia. He developed it after surviving three life- altering strokes in the past two decades. His go-to word, 'thing', is the inspiration for an illustrated book he has released about aphasia. “ It's a Thing captures the daily experience of living with aphasia and the joy of recognition when you recall ‘that word’ for ‘that thing’,” Ian says. The book was launched last November at the University of Auckland Centre for Brain Research (CBR). As well as producing world- leading neuroscience, the CBR hosts two initiatives, a gavel club and a choir, to help people with aphasia improve their communication skills and grow confidence. The More than Words Gavel Club has given Ian and others an opportunity to practice talking in the company of others living with the same impairments. It also helps to inform research into speech- language therapy. It's a Thing was written by Ian and his wife Cathy for a gavel club end-of-year speech competition before being developed into a book, with funding and support from the CBR. For others with aphasia, such as Tony Petrasich, singing is more helpful to them than public speaking. Tony was only 32 when he had a stroke. He lost his ability to drive, work, and play cricket, golf and chess. But he could sing, and found his voice by joining the CeleBRation Choir. “Singing is easy for me, but talking is hard. Performing is no worries. I feel positive and can help others.” The choir is run by Alison Talmage from the School of Music to help those with neurological damage maintain the volume of their voice, tonal quality and speech clarity through song. Every day about 24 New Zealanders have a stroke and one in three survivors is diagnosed with aphasia. It’s a Thing is available online at itsathingbook.com a nd proceeds will support the Gavel Club. "For people with aphasia recalling ‘that word’ for ‘that thing’ is a constant challenge."