Reimagining Creativity After Stroke with Dr. Jess Johansson

Send us Fan MailCreativity, Hope, and Life After Stroke: Supporting People with Aphasia Beyond RehabHosts Rob Edwards and Jonathan Hirons introduce their “On the Tip of My Tongue” podcast, a follow-up to Jonathan’s film about aphasia, a brain-injury condition often caused by stroke that affects language in speaking, writing, reading, and texting; they note 350,000 people in the UK have aphasia yet public awareness is low compared with Parkinson’s. Guest Dr. Jess Johansson, a senior stroke researcher at the University of Leeds/Bradford Institute of Health Research, discusses her 13 years in stroke research and a planned NIHR fellowship application to integrate creative approaches into stroke care and extend support after services end. She describes using crafts like vision boards in stroke groups to promote relaxation, hope, and meaningful activity, emphasizing neuroplasticity and recovery beyond assumed plateaus. The conversation covers fragmented care, the value of groups and social connection, inclusion of people living alone or from deprived backgrounds, shifting away from deficit-focused models, engaging GPs, and raising aphasia awareness through public-facing art exhibitions.00:00 Creativity After Stroke00:25 Podcast Intro And Aphasia01:22 Meet Dr Jess Johansson02:00 Creative Care Fellowship Plan03:28 Why Creativity Helps05:04 Whole Person Recovery07:16 Research With Stroke Groups10:12 Access And Inequality12:01 Living Alone And Support13:28 Mental Health Adjustment15:50 Recovery Beyond Plateau19:43 GPs And Deficit Model23:01 Raising Aphasia Awareness25:47 Closing Thoughts And Thanks26:42 Resources And Communityhttp://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jess-johansson-091923383/Support the showSupport the show:  Donate NowThis podcast is funded by https://www.bas.org.ukTo watch Jonathan’s film:  https://tipofmytonguefilm.comYouTube:    https://www.youtube.com/@tipofmytonguefilmLinkedin:    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhirons/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tipofmytonguepodcast/X:                http://x.com/buffaloloungeukThe Tavistock Trust for Aphasia websitehttp://aphasiatavistocktrust.org