In the near future, I will be introducing legislation designating June 2026 as Aphasia Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.
 
Aphasia is a communication disorder caused by brain injuries such as stroke or traumatic brain injury. Aphasia can affect how well you talk, understand what other people say to you, read, write, do math, and more. People with aphasia have clear thoughts and feelings, but trouble sharing them. Everyone with aphasia is different. Aphasia changes your life. Many people with aphasia leave their jobs or retire early. People with aphasia might look okay but feel alone.
 
More than 2 million people in the U.S. live with aphasia, and approximately 30% of stroke survivors develop aphasia. Based on these numbers and given Pennsylvania’s population of about 13 million, experts estimate that at least 75,000 Pennsylvanians have aphasia. However, very few people really know what aphasia is.
 
Aphasia does not only affect the person who has it; it also affects the entire community around the person with aphasia. Most people with aphasia did not know what aphasia was before their diagnosis. This made the experience of living with aphasia even scarier at first. Increased aphasia awareness will help people who develop aphasia in the future. Aphasia awareness will also benefit people in the community. They will have a better experience interacting with people with aphasia if they know what aphasia is.
 
Communication is a human right. People with aphasia should not be marginalized because of their communication difficulty. People with aphasia still have a lot to say.
 
Aphasia Awareness Month aims to highlight the greater need for recognition and understanding of what aphasia is. Throughout the month of June, advocates will share information, resources, services, and stories about people with aphasia in Pennsylvania.
 
Please join us in co-sponsoring this important legislation.