Bath stroke victim Alun Morgan starts talking Welsh
An 81-year-old man from Bath baffled doctors when he came round after a stroke – and started speaking Welsh.
Alun Morgan, from Bathwick, was also amazed when he began speaking in a language which he had not heard since being evacuated to Wales as a child in the war.
His wife Yvonne was the only person who could understand him and had to translate for doctors.
Mr Morgan said: “I don’t remember anything from the time of my stroke.
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“But gradually I started speaking a few words in Welsh. This was strange because I’d not lived in Wales since I was evacuated there during the war. Only my wife could understand what I was saying, and doctors were confused. Gradually the English words came back but it wasn’t easy.”
Mr Morgan had been watching the lunchtime news when his wife noticed he was not responsive, and called an ambulance.
He was rushed into hospital where he spent three weeks being stabilised and assessed.
Mr Morgan has been left with aphasia, which affects his ability to communicate with others.
He has been helped by the Communication Support Service, run by the Stroke Association in Bath.
Mr Morgan said: “Meeting lots of people at the service and sharing experiences with people who understand aphasia has made a huge difference. I’m not worried about their reaction or scared that the words just won’t come out when I try to speak. This means I can enjoy life a lot more.”
More than 150,000 people have a stroke every year in the UK, and a third end up with aphasia as a result.
The association is running an awareness and fundraising campaign to help those affected – details are at www.stroke.org.uk/aphasia.