Aphasia is most commonly caused by stroke, though other brain injuries and some degenerative diseases can also cause it.
While it affects language and communication, it doesn’t affect the intelligence of those with aphasia.
Still, it can be incredibly disruptive to a person’s life, Yones said. “If I dropped you into another country where you don’t speak the language, and nobody speaks English, I’ve given you a language disruption, right?”
Now in its 14th year, Voices of Hope hosts communication groups that meet Monday through Thursday in St. Petersburg, Dunedin, Tampa and online, along with family education, support groups and outings.
All programming is free to attend, Yones said. “We never turn anybody away.”