#166 Why Do People Treat Survivors This Way?

2025-10-09

“I don’t always do this in public, because it’s exhausting—but I can, if you give me a minute.” If you've ever filled in the blank, answered for your partner, or just wanted to make life easier—you’re not alone. But there’s a hidden cost to helping too much. And for survivors with aphasia, that cost is steep: they start to believe they can’t. This episode is about the quiet way learned helplessness takes root in stroke recovery—and how we, as care partners and survivors, can stop reinforcing it without realizing. It’s not...

“I don’t always do this in public, because it’s exhausting—but I can, if you give me a minute.”

If you've ever filled in the blank, answered for your partner, or just wanted to make life easier—you’re not alone. But there’s a hidden cost to helping too much. And for survivors with aphasia, that cost is steep: they start to believe they can’t.

This episode is about the quiet way learned helplessness takes root in stroke recovery—and how we, as care partners and survivors, can stop reinforcing it without realizing. It’s not about blame. It’s about patterns. And the good news? Patterns can change.

What learned helplessness really is—and how it quietly rewires a survivor’s brain
• How care partners accidentally reinforce it (and how to stop)
• Matt’s story: what happened when he paused, explained, and spoke up for himself
• Why other people’s discomfort can make recovery harder
• A simple mindset shift to help survivors reclaim dignity and participation

Survivor, do you want to take your life back? There’s a guide I want you to have.
TAKE IT BACK: A Survivor’s Guide to Reclaiming Strength, Dignity, and Confidence After Stroke
https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/f/take-it-back

Two aphasia caregivers take two different paths. Are you Lisa or Elena?
https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/lisa-or-elena

Feel stuck in your recovery? This guide will remind you why progress is still possible:
3 Keys to LIFE Beyond Aphasia
https://www.lifeaphasiaacademy.co/3-keys

Aphasia spouses and caregivers, we have resources for you.
https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/care-partner-resources

Explore speech pathology communication coaching options:
https://www.dolifespeechpathology.com/treatment-for-aphasia-and-neurologic-conditions

Learn more about our private support community for aphasia care partners:
https://www.lifeaphasiaacademy.co/life-aphasia-collective

Subscribe for new YouTube episodes:
https://www.youtube.com/@LIFESpeechPathology/videos

Listen to Listen for LIFE Aphasia podcast on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/listen-for-life-aphasia-podcast/id1621948384

Start small. Start here. Start with you.

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