Council is calling on interested parties to participate in a new initiative aimed at improving the quality of life of people living with aphasia, a language difficulty caused by damage to the brain.

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, said a choir was currently being formed to allow people with limited or no speech to experience something positive and joyful with their voice in a social and understanding environment.

“Imagine not being able to speak but having the ability to sing perfectly. This is the reality experienced by a number of people living with aphasia,” Cr Makin said.

“After learning during Stroke Week 2008 that several people in Maroondah were living with aphasia, Council took the first tentative steps towards the formation of a choir for people with the condition,” Cr Makin said.

“I’m proud to say that with the help of a number of external organisations, that vision is set to become a reality in the early half of 2010,” Cr Makin said.

A qualified music therapist will be engaged to work with the choir, named Stroke a Chord, thanks to a $15,000 grant from the Helen Macpherson Smith Fund.

The initiative is a partnership between Council, Yooralla, Royal Talbot Hospital, University of Queensland, Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Croydon Stroke Support Group and Melbourne University.

If you or someone you know would like to find out more about Stroke a Chord, phone Jack Mulholland on 1300 88 22 33 or email jack.mulholland@maroondah.vic.gov.au.