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The Roots of Special English
On October 19, 1959, the Voice of America broadcast the first Special English program.  It was an experiment.  The goal was to communicate by radio in clear and simple English with people whose native language was not English. Special English programs quickly became some of the most popular on VOA.  They still are. Special English continues to communicate with people who are not fluent in English.  Over the years, its role has expanded.  It helps people learn American English while they learn about American life and stay informed about world news and developments in science.  It provides listeners with information they cannot find elsewhere....Next

Jersey man raises £25,000 from marathon walk

A man who completed the Jersey Marathon despite suffering a stroke three years ago has raised £25,000.


Anthony Lewis, 42, walked the 26.2 miles (42.16km) over the course of a week.


Three years ago he suffered a stroke as a result of a football accident that left him physically disabled and with severe aphasia, affecting his communication.


Despite this, Mr Lewis, learnt to walk again and completed his first marathon.


Mr Lewis, former assistant editor of the Jersey Evening Post, walked the island course over a week - finishing on the day of the main marathon event...... next

Stem cells used in stroke trial

By Pallab Ghosh Science correspondent, BBC News
Foetal blood stem cells Trial patients will get progressively higher doses of stem cells
Continue reading the main story
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* Q&A: Stem cells
* Stem cells repair stroke damage

Doctors in Glasgow have injected stem cells into the brain of a stroke patient in an effort to find a new treatment for the condition.

The elderly man is the first person in the world to receive this treatment - the start of a regulated trial at Southern General Hospital.

He was given very low doses over the weekend and has since been discharged - and his doctors say he is doing well.

Critics object as brain cells from foetuses were used to create the cells.

The patient received a very low dose of stem cells in an initial trial to assess the safety of the procedure.

Over the next year, up to 12 more patients will be .... next

Aphasia - Creating a Song about Aphasia

Young stroke victim boosts Big Bike

ALLISTON - The Heart and Stroke Foundation's Big Bike For Heart makes an annual appearance at the Alliston Potato Festival and its riders help raise money to fight some of Canada's most deadly diseases.
This year riders got an added bit of motivation though. Beeton resident Nicole Fournier was only eight years old when she suffered a stroke. Yet six years later, and after a lot of hard work, Nicole is able to stand up in front of groups like the Potato Festival riders and tell her story.
"Strokes don't just happen to adults," said Nicole, now 14.
It's something her father had never considered, but learned all to quickly on Canada Day in 2004. Nicole had been a very active child, competing in several sports, including swimming. She had no prior medical conditions. Her father was watching her swim in a pool in Bolton when the stroke hit...Next

Phonological Deficits in Aphasia

The View From Planet Kerth: To gripe or not to gripe, that is the question

I had a conversation the other day with a doctor who is the head of a neurotrauma rehabilitation center. His specialty is dealing with patients who have suffered strokes or other injuries to the brain.
He told me the story of one of his patients, an elite athlete who was training on a bicycle when he crashed and suffered brain damage. Initially he was paralyzed from the accident, but through intensive therapy his limbs began to regain some of their strength.
Still, the path was long for him, and after two years he was barely able to walk, let alone to bicycle or compete as an elite athlete...Next