Aphasia activist celebrated

Tony Petrasich of Red Beach has been recognised for his inspirational leadership in the community of stroke survivors who have aphasia, a disorder that affects the ability to communicate.

Tony, who chairs the Rodney Aphasia Group, was one of two nominees selected by Aphasia NZ trustees for this year’s Emma Castle Award for Excellence in Aphasia.

Alison Talmage, a music therapist at the university who nominated Tony for the award, described him as “proactive in maximising his own communication abilities, in supporting and encouraging people in his community and in raising awareness of aphasia in the wider community”.

Tony suffered a stroke in 2000, aged 32. Rodney Aphasia Group administrator Marty Davis said that despite oral and written language impairments affecting his ability to read, write and converse, Tony has adapted in a “resilient and inspiring fashion”, gladly accepting the responsibility of chairing the group for the past two years.

Tony displayed “an adventurous streak”, Marty said. He was a member of two singing groups – CeleBRation Choir, which is linked to the University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain  Research, and Sing Up Rodney – and also a founding member of the centre’s ‘More Than Words’ Gavel Club, a Toastmasters club for people who have aphasia.

The Emma Castle Award goes to a person “who has been an outstanding ambassador or inspiration for people with aphasia, or who has carried out exceptional research to benefit people with aphasia.”

“Tony absolutely embodies that citation as a truly outstanding and inspirational ambassador for people with aphasia,” Marty said. “We are immensely proud of Tony being recognised nationally for his services.”

The award will be presented at the group’s monthly meeting, in Ōrewa on July 25.