How learning BSL helped lorraine rebuild confidence after a stroke
According to the World Stroke Organization, one in four people will experience a stroke in their lifetime. World Stroke Day, held annually on 29 October, raises awareness of stroke prevention, treatment, recovery, and the lasting impact stroke can have on people's lives. To mark World Stroke Day, ECL’s Sensory Team is highlighting the benefits of learning British Sign Language (BSL) for people affected by stroke or brain injury through the inspiring story of Lorraine, one of its recent BSL Level 2 graduates.
Research suggests that learning British Sign Language (BSL) can offer significant benefits for people recovering from a stroke or brain injury. For those living with aphasia, speech difficulties, or language-processing challenges, BSL can provide an alternative way to communicate and express themselves.
Beyond communication, learning BSL can support memory recall, cognitive function, and manual dexterity. Together, these benefits can reduce frustration, increase independence, and boost confidence during recovery.
Lorraine experienced a stroke five years ago and recently completed ECL’s BSL Level 2 course. Although her stroke was not the reason she first chose to learn BSL, she quickly discovered how valuable it could be in supporting her recovery and communication.
Here, she shares her story.
Discovering BSL
Lorraine's journey began with a 12-week evening class. She enjoyed it so much, and met such a welcoming community of learners, that she decided to continue studying for the rest of the year.
Living with a disability following her stroke, Lorraine was keen to gain a better understanding of the experiences of people with hearing loss. Learning BSL felt like a natural place to start.
After completing her first course, she volunteered at a deaf unit within a local secondary school, where she put her new skills into practice. Inspired by that experience, she went on to study BSL Level 1 and then did her level 2 with ECL’s Sensory Team.
Lorraine says:
“When I had my stroke, my world was turned upside down. However, seeing what my life might become made me realise how strong and determined I was, and that I was not going to let it change my life for the worse.
This was especially important because doctors had told me I would not be able to continue doing the job I love as a teacher. I was determined that my stroke would not stop me teaching. I returned to work part-time within six months and was back full-time within a year.
During the first six months, my speech was slurred and I had limited use of my right hand. At that point I didn't know BSL, but since learning it I have been encouraged to use my right hand more, which has improved my dexterity.
BSL has also helped me communicate through facial expressions and body language, giving me another way to express myself and connect with others. Most importantly, it has increased my confidence, especially in social settings.”
What Lorraine wants people to understand about life after a stroke
“After a stroke, people are often in a very dark place. For many, communicating verbally can be difficult and confidence is severely affected.
Although my stroke showed me how determined I am, and people often tell me how well I have done, there are still many difficult days. These struggles are often hidden and dealt with in silence. The biggest challenge for me is the fear of having another stroke.”
Why learn BSL?
“I would absolutely recommend learning BSL. In every class I've attended, people have been kind, encouraging and supportive.
If your stroke has affected your dominant hand, as mine did, fingerspelling and signing can be difficult at first. But with practice your dexterity improves.
It can be tiring because there is a lot to learn and recovery can affect your energy levels. However, everyone is willing to help, both during lessons and outside of them.”
For Lorraine, one of the greatest achievements of learning BSL has been proving to herself that she can still learn something new. The experience has strengthened her confidence, broadened her skills, and inspired her to continue her studies with a BSL Level 3 course.
How BSL can support stroke recovery
Learning BSL can:
- Support communication when speech and language are affected.
- Help stimulate different areas of the brain involved in language and memory.
- Improve memory recall through cognitive training.
- Encourage hand movement and improve manual dexterity.
- Reduce frustration by providing an alternative way to communicate.
- Build confidence and independence during recovery.
Expert insight: why BSL can help
ECL Sensory Training Facilitator Saydi Appleby explains:
“For people recovering from a stroke, BSL can provide an alternative route to communication. If someone can't immediately find a word, they can often use the sign instead, reducing frustration and helping them express themselves.
Physical signs can also help prompt memory. Many related words share similar signs, creating links that can help people access the language they are searching for. For example, the words help, helping and helpful use variations of the same sign. Those connections can help open pathways in the brain and support word retrieval.”
Saydi also highlights the growing value of BSL within clinical settings.
“BSL and Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) work extremely well together. BSL, the phonetic alphabet and supplementary communication systems such as Makaton can provide valuable non-verbal communication options for people experiencing significant difficulties finding their words.
Having delivered training to a wide variety of individuals within external clinical settings, I believe there is a growing need for Speech and Language Therapists with BSL qualifications. Not only could this benefit people recovering from stroke, but it would also improve accessibility for deaf patients, reducing reliance on interpreters or communicator guides during appointments.
I'd love to see more Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists joining my BSL courses.”
I would absolutely recommend learning BSL. In every class I've attended, people have been kind, encouraging and supportive.
Lorraine, ECL BSL Training customer