Guest Blog: Milind Sonawane SLT: the work begins

Meeting the Neuro Hero team

In December, I met my colleagues, Ian the “ IT guy” and Roisín the project manager. They are ever inquisitve and always have a critical take on things that relate to the project. I enjoyed the first meeting where ideas kept bouncing off the walls. My first assignment was to collect feedback from Speech and Language therapists around the world. The team were determined to improve their Talk Around It app which helps people with ‘word ...

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March 2014: Three new words

Three new words

In 2006 a stroke caused Steve to lose his speech; since then he has been able to say “1,2,3”, “difficult” and a few other words. His frustration has been immense and the impact on family life is beyond measure.

This Saturday evening our daughters had a baking competition, Steve was the judge. Gina (now aged 14) presented a large, well risen, Oreo cake while Tanya (now aged 8) proudly handed over a modest, highly decorated chocolate ...

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2014: Andrew Marr speaks out for more physiotherapy after stroke

Andrew Marr speaks out for more physiotherapy after stroke

Andrew Marr’s eloquence and humour allowed ordinary people a real insight into life after stroke during his time with JohnathanRoss. This interview offered a rare combination of entertainment, inspiration and highlighting essential issues.

 In particular Andrew drew attention to the lack of physiotherapy available for ordinary people who are living with the consequences of stroke. In Ireland and the UK most people are offered six to eight ...

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January 2014: Strawberries and cream

Strawberries and cream

Earlier this year I had the privilege of visiting St Raphael’s school where we met many of the extraordinary teachers and motivated students who fill their bright, joyful classrooms. This was the first time we had the opportunity to show our Talk Around It apps to staff at a special needs school and we were delighted by their response.

During that short visit we heard many stories but the tenacity of one teacher sums up the spirit that prevails ...

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April 2012: Stepping into an Oasis

Stepping into an Oasis

 I remember the first time I went to Trinity College Dublin. It was my final year in school and I had been invited to the Trinity Ball. As I stepped through the gates, the noise of the traffic disappeared and the grey cityscape was exchanged for the magnificence of the Exam Hall and the music of Strauss. I remember feeling as though I had been transported into a perfect oasis.

That memory was in stark ...

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June 2011: Chance meetings and life changing moments

Chance meetings and life changing moments

On 15th June 2011 I hosted the first ever Research & Hope event. When I realised I had the opportunity to host a talk by Professor Vincent Walsh on ‘Brain stimulation and stroke’ I was thrilled … and then I panicked.

I have attended and spoken at numerous events but I had no idea how to organise one. I am very grateful, therefore, that Care Alliance came to my rescue. They agreed to co-host the event ...

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April 2011: Learning to Care: The Carers’ Sanctuary Magazine

Learning to Care: The Carers’ Sanctuary Magazine

I seem to have lived many different lives. I have studied and worked in various countries. I was a university student, part- or full-time, for 12 years; I have had several careers, from lecturer to business consultant; I have been a girlfriend, a partner, a wife and a mother. As I moved through these different phases of my life, I simply adapted. I seemed to know how to adjust to each new situation, more ...

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March 2011: A moral dilemma

A moral dilemma

 I launched the Research & Hope website in February 2011. It is now three years later and I am working to improve and update the website. From the beginning I have had the same moral dilemma as I now face:  do I hold fast to my ethical principles, or earn enough money to speed up the research and help more people?

My choice so far has been to stay with my principles and do without the ...

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March 2011:From solitude to support: reaching for the impossible … again

From solitude to support: reaching for the impossible … again

For the first five years after Steve’s stroke I spent many waking hours sitting alone in front of my computer. Every time I sat down I knew that my research could help Steve but I didn’t know if anyone else would be interested in the website I was creating. So many elements were needed to create Research & Hope, from hours of web design, infinite reading lists and endless searching for ...

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February 2011: Metaphysics and the Media

Metaphysics and the Media

In February 2011 I launched the Research & Hope website http://www.researchandhope.com/ the following year I founded Neruo Hero http://www.neurohero.com/. Both events were accompanied by a great deal of interest from the media. I have always hidden from cameras; as a consequence, there are very few family photos that include me. Now I find myself frequently posing for the press and speaking on the radio.

Remembering the time…

I remember the first time I was invited to appear ...

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