Londoners with aphasia create song to raise awareness of brain condition

Members of the Aphasia New Music Group in London co-created a song titled Listen to describe life with aphasia, a condition that affects a person's ability to speak, read, write, and understand others.

The group consists of individuals living with the condition, musicians, and speech and language therapists. They use music to support one another and educate the public about the challenges caused by brain injuries or strokes.

Dr Carolyn Bruce, a speech and language therapist at University College London, explains that aphasia makes daily life difficult because it prevents people from engaging in their previous lifestyles. One member, Colin Lyall, joined the group after suffering a stroke 13 years ago. While his speaking skills improved through therapy, he noted that his reading and writing abilities did not fully recover. Lyall later established the charity Say Aphasia to support others facing similar struggles.

Finn Beans, the artistic director of the group, stated that most people in the UK have not heard of aphasia. The group intended for the song to counter misconceptions and provide an outlet for shared understanding. While they often write about abstract concepts, they chose to make this specific song a clear tool for public awareness.