Global Aphasia
September 21, 2025 /
Global Aphasia: Ryan and Jess
Aphasia on the Road
Right now I’m in Michigan on vacation. We are having too much fun in state and city parks with our camping van to write a lengthy blog. Instead we are looking Petoskey rocks. A couple of days ago we went to the National Park Sleeping Bear Dunes. We went to Farmers Markets and walked in the woods, on the dunes and in the RV parks.
Understand Global Aphasia … a little bit better
Today I am sharing an important Facebook video by Ryan Perry and Jessica Salacky. They have a very severe version of aphasia called Global Aphasia.
In the Facebook video, they wanted all of us to understand how difficult and frustrated aphasia can be. Ryan is 37-years-old. His stroke was 4-1/2 years ago. Â After four years, he was able to say his own name and now he can speak about 150 words. I met Ryan when I saw the fantastic bird photography that he shows on Facebook. Ryan takes photos of hummingbirds and so do I. I stare at his images. They are sharp and colorful.
Some time I will ask him how he does it. According to AI, a high quality zoom lens, such as a 100 to 400 mm or a 150-600 mm, provides versatility and is a great starting point. I guess my iPhone, just doesn’t do the trick.
Jess is 32-years-old.  Her stroke was two years ago. She still can’t speaks, but she is finding innovative ways to communicate using her phone, and hand movements. Jess is warm and lovely. In the video she smiles a lot. This might be part of her communication system and also able to stand against difficult odds.  In the video Jess is sitting with her caregivers. Her husband is the interviewer and her mom is filming the video.
Determination
Both Ryan and Jess are amazing. I admire their determination and the fact that they are working on moving forward even though it must be incredibly frustrating.
Ryan drove 500 miles to meet Jess in person, because she is the first person he has met with a similar level of Global Aphasia. There is nothing fun about losing language, reading and writing.
All of us with aphasia are different. All of us need to look for new ways to  find a meaningful life.
This is a video of Jess and Ryan talking.Â
#global aphasia #aphasia #hummingbirds #determination
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Posted in Aphasia News, Laura's Recommendations
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