DAVIE, Fla. – For several months after suffering a stroke, Gary Green was unable to speak; a condition technically known as aphasia.
Aphasia can affect people in several different ways. Some, like Green, lose their ability to speak in an instant.
"This type of aphasia can also be brought on by traumatic brain injury and brain tumors," Fred DiCarlo, a speech specialist with Nova Southeastern University, said.
People with primary progressive aphasia lose their ability to speak gradually over time and have difficulty verbalizing their thoughts.
"In either case, we can help them," said DiCarlo.
Green is benefiting from a special program at NSU's Speech-Language Pathology Clinic, which can help people regain all or at least some of their ability to communicate.
"So a person could have a stroke, and if it's mild, they can recover to full potential," DiCarlo said.
Green's wife, Raquel, is pleased with his progress.
"He talks more (and) he can speak better on his own. When you ask him questions, he can't talk too well because he says everything in his brain is messed up, but when he talks, he does more words," she said.
Click here for more information on NSU's Speech-Language Pathology Clinic.