A FORMER Leeds United captain and Aston Villa player has lent his voice to a campaign highlighting the challenges faced by stroke survivors.

Brendan Ormsby, from Selby, is supporting the Stroke Association’ Lost for Words campaign to raise awareness of communication difficulties people experience after a stroke.

The 56-year-old suffered a stroke on December 22, 2013, which left him paralysed on the right side of his body. He was also left with aphasia, dyspraxia, and literacy problems which affect his daily life.

His wife Wendy said: “Since his stroke, Brendan has been making improvements with his speech but has had a lot of set-backs, including a recent heart attack and seizures. He finds it very frustrating and tiring not to be able to say what he wants. Communicating is something we all take for granted, but its draining for someone with aphasia and takes a lot of Brendan’s energy to think.

“We both joined Speakability in York around 18 months ago, which is run by people with aphasia for people with aphasia, and it’s really helped. Brendan becomes much more relaxed in the atmosphere and it helps to be around people who are in a similar situation; they understand and are patient with him. When people don’t understand aphasia, we can find it puts pressure on Brendan to speak, which he finds really challenging.”

Lost for Words aims to highlight the difficulties stroke survivors can face, and the help and support available.

Peter Moore, regional director at the Stroke Association, said: “After a stroke, around one in three people like Brendan have difficulty communicating, which can be both terrifying and isolating. It’s wonderful to see Speakability helping to support Brendan through his recovery.”

More than 350,000 people in the UK have aphasia, a communication disability which can be caused by stroke. The Stroke Association is urging people to show their support for stroke survivors who are lost for words and make a donation. For more information, visit www.stroke.org.uk/lostforwords.

A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain, and is the leading cause of severe adult disability.

The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) provides information and support. Visit www.stroke.org.uk for details.