‘I had to learn the alphabet’ Lira Opens Up About Having A Stroke
Renowned musician Lira has faced significant challenges over the past 14 months after suffering a stroke that left her unable to speak, read, or write. In a heartfelt interview with Radio 702 presenter Relebogile Mabotja on the segment “The Upside of Failure,” the Hamba hitmaker shared insights into her journey of recovery and life after the stroke.
Progress and Positivity Amidst Adversity
Despite the hardships, Lira expressed her contentment with the progress she has made so far. “I get surprised with how much progress I’m making, and today is a good day,” says Lira, exuding resilience and hope.
Diagnosis of Aphasia
The 44-year-old musician received a diagnosis of aphasia, a language disorder resulting from damage to specific brain regions responsible for communication, six months after the stroke. According to NIDCD, individuals with aphasia may have difficulty speaking, understanding speech, reading, and writing.
Understanding the Impact
Recalling the moment she was informed about the damage to her language center, Lira mentioned that the German doctors who attended to her in Frankfurt assured her that she could learn to speak again, albeit with time and effort. “I accepted my situation because there was nothing for me to do. I felt calm; peace washed over me when I did that. The calm and peace have been with me since,” she shared.
Learning to Speak Again
Lira embarked on speech therapy in Germany before returning to Johannesburg to continue her journey to recovery. Describing the arduous process, she said, “I knew it would be hard. I had to say each word… I was struggling to say a, e, i, o, u. I had to learn the alphabet to put words together. I had to learn like a child.”
Lira-Image Source@InstagramCelebrating Milestones
The Feel Good songstress celebrates each milestone in her recovery, and one significant achievement was finally being able to say her full name, Lerato. “I could say Lira, but I couldn’t say Lerato because the language is a bit different,” she explained, highlighting her determination and progress.
Challenges in Finding a Suitable Speech Therapist
While undergoing speech therapy in English, Lira faced difficulties finding an IsiZulu or Sesotho speech therapist. She elaborated, “My language center is damaged. And because English was the language I received my speech therapy in, I became proficient in speaking English. Zulu and Sotho, I can hear, but it’s tougher for me to say each word.”
Music Remains Unaffected
Despite the challenges in regaining her speech, Lira affirmed that her ability to sing remained untouched. The part of her brain responsible for singing was not affected by the stroke, but she acknowledged the need to practice and improve her diction while singing.
Also Read:
- Gugu Khathi Allegedly Taking Legal Action Against Gossip Blogger Musa Khawula
- Baby Daddy Drama: Kelly Khumalo And Mthokozisi Yende Hint At Break-Up
