AphasiaNZ

30/05/2026

📣June is Aphasia Awareness Month.
Let’s talk about aphasia.
Let’s learn.
Let’s support each other.

🗣Will you help us spread the word?

Leave a comment or share this post.

25/05/2026

* Upcoming online education event *
Thursday May 28th 10am - 11am
Life History Book Workshop for whānau and carers.

Aphasia can make it difficult for people to talk about themselves.
A life history book is a creative way for people with aphasia to record their life's story to share with others.

To register your interest or to find out more, please contact Christa
Email: [email protected]
or call: 021 086 34362

22/05/2026

Friendship speaks louder than words.

Aphasia can change how someone communicates, but it doesn’t change who they are, or the friendships that matter most.
This carousel shares what people with aphasia say about friendship:
• what makes staying connected harder
• what helps friends stick around
• and why the right friendships can make recovery feel lighter, safer, and less lonely

Strong friendships aren’t about perfect conversations. They’re about patience, loyalty, shared moments, and showing up, when communication looks different.

# Tag a friend whose friendship speaks volumes.

22/05/2026

Ngā mihi nui and congratulations to Katie Milford on this well deserved honour. Such a huge contribution to the Aotearoa aphasia community.

Miss Kate Milford, of Tauranga, MNZM for services to people with aphasia.

Miss Kate Milford was the single driving force behind the creation, development and governance of Aphasia New Zealand Charitable Trust, providing support to those living with or affected by aphasia, a language disorder resulting from brain injury. She remains involved as Trustee and Secretary. She has been key to organising a biennial international conference to share knowledge about aphasia. She has devised a range of innovative services and programmes, including leading a unique New Zealand-wide team and network of Community Aphasia Advisors, who offer individualised support, education and advocacy. Other programmes include informal peer-led support groups, educational resources and online training, and a device loan scheme for therapy exercises.

20/05/2026

When aphasia enters a relationship, connection doesn’t disappear, but it does change.
It often asks both people to slow down, get creative, and find new ways to stay close. Connection becomes less about perfect words and more about presence, patience, and shared moments.

You might:
❤️lean on gestures, writing, photos, or humour
🧡build routines that feel safe and predictable
💛take breaks when communication gets tiring
💚celebrate the small wins together
🩵stay curious about each other, even when conversations look different

Aphasia can shift how you communicate, but it doesn’t take away love, partnership, or the need to feel understood.

So we’re asking you: how do you maintain connection when aphasia becomes part of your relationship?

COMMENT BELOW to share your experience.

20/05/2026

ICYMI
Did you catch this interview with Dr Alison Talmage on RNZ this morning?
The co-founder of a therapeutic choir for people with brain conditions, Dr Talmage has developed a handbook so more choirs can be established around the country.

Dr Alison Talmage is a music therapist, she co-founded the CeleBRation Choir through Auckland University's Centre for Brain Research, and has recently been awarded her PhD, part of which involved developing the guide.

Originally working with children, she's spent many years fine-tuning her understanding of how choirs can best help people recover from or mitigate the effects of brain conditions - including strokes and aphasia, Parkinson's, dementia and brain injury.

🙏Ngā mihi nui Dr Talmage for all your incredible work in this area.

The co-founder of a therapeutic choir for people with brain conditions, has developed a handbook so more choirs can be established around the country.

18/05/2026

Why do some friends stay, and others drift away, after aphasia?

Friendships can change a lot after a stroke or brain injury. This research helps explain why some friendships remain strong, what gets in the way, and what actually helps people with aphasia keep the friends who matter most.

Across the study, people with aphasia shared honest stories about:
• the barriers that make friendships harder
• the qualities and behaviours that help friendships last
• the huge impact of friends who stick around
• practical ways to support and strengthen these relationships

The big message: friendships can continue, and even deepen, when friends understand aphasia, adapt together, and stay patient, loyal, and present.

🥰How have your friendships changed?
💬COMMENT BELOW - share your experience with others.

15/05/2026

Caring For a Loved One with Aphasia After Stroke: A Narrative-Based Support Guide for Caregivers, Families and Friends

14/05/2026

Let’s change this together!

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/qarc-uq-aphasia-awareness?utm_medium=CA&utm_source=CL