21/06/2026
June is 💙
Pat Burke has been part of the Croí community since he experienced a stroke nearly five years ago, a life changing event that left him with aphasia and significant speech and language difficulties.
What followed was not only a physical recovery journey, but an emotional and social one, shaped by determination, support, and connection.
Like many people living with aphasia, Pat struggled with the frustration of knowing exactly what he wanted to say yet being unable to find the words to express it. "Imagine marbles in your mouth, one word does not follow the other.” He describes feelings of loneliness, confusion, shock, annoyance, and fatigue, emotions that are common, but often invisible, in stroke recovery.
Pat attends Croí’s ‘All Talk’ Communication Support Group, facilitated by Libby Kinneen, Speech and Language Therapist. The group offers a welcoming space for people living with stroke-related communication difficulties to connect, share experiences, and support one another.
Through his involvement in the group, Pat has steadily regained confidence in his communication abilities and made significant progress. Today, he is once again enjoying the social activities that were an important part of his life before his stroke.
🤝 This Aphasia Awareness Month, Croí encourages anyone living with aphasia to connect with our services. We are here to support you every step of the way.
📞 To learn more, visit croi.ie/aphasia, call 091 544310, or email [email protected].
