Happy February 2026!
If you’re anything like me, over the holiday break, you’re always on the hunt for ideas, the next great source of inspiration, motivation, or knowledge that sparks a topic that you could write about in the next newsletter and to give hope to the people who had experienced a stroke. And let’s be honest, with the overwhelming volume of current events and digital noise out there, finding those hidden gems can be a bit of a challenge.
When I was in the middle of my recovery, I often wished I had a “secret weapon”—something that could help me find the words that felt locked away in my mind. In my book, I talk about the grit and the long hours it takes to rebuild a life after a stroke. It wasn’t easy, it wasn’t fast, and you need patience.
But today, I see a new kind of hope on the horizon. It’s called Artificial Intelligence (AI). When you think about stroke and aphasia recovery, think of AI as a “conversation partner.”
New Helping Hands
In the past, the aphasia applications we used were — like flashcards — useful, but a bit lonely. The new AI tools are different. They are designed to “listen” and “understand” the context of our lives.
A fellow survivor, Stephen Albright, has even built a tool called AphasiaGPT. Instead of just naming pictures of fruit, his tool, with AI, helps you practice real life—like talking to a friend at a party or describing a problem to a doctor.
Voiceitt is another form of AI built for aphasia. Voiceitt works differently:
- It learns you: You start by teaching the application your voice. You record a few phrases so it can learn your specific patterns and sounds.
- It translates in real-time: Once it knows your voice, you can speak freely. The AI software listens and then instantly repeats what you said in a very clear, digital voice or shows it as text on a screen.
- It opens doors: You can use it to talk to family, order a coffee, or even control your smart home (like asking the AI software to “turn on the lights” when a standard device wouldn’t understand the command).
Why I’m Excited
If I had access to such a “conversation partner” during my early days of recovery, I truly believe that I could have reached my goals much sooner, quicker, and to use the language better.
- It fills in the gaps: When you can’t find a word, AI looks at what you were just talking about and suggests the right one.
- It lowers the stress: It acts as a safety net, so you can focus on the person you’re with, rather than the struggle in your head.
The Journey Continues
Stroke recovery is still about hard work and the “never give up” spirit I wrote about in my book, but AI is starting to make that journey a little less bumpy, a lot less lonely, and frankly more fun while you’re in the stage of rehabilitation.
I’m sharing this today because I want you to see what I see: Hope is evolving. Technology is finally catching up to our needs, and it’s going to help us all find our voices again.
Ready to Be Relentless?
In my book, Relentless, I share my story of fighting back from a massive stroke. Before we had these new AI “Conversation Partners,” I had to rely on raw grit and the few tools I could find.
I wrote this book to show that you can find a life full of purpose and connection again. It is not just my story; it is a handbook for your recovery. It teaches you how to:
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Stay Strong: How to use a “never give up” mindset when words are hard to find.
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Find Hope: How to see the “silver lining” even on the toughest days.
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Keep Moving: Practical tips on how I retrained my brain to talk and walk again.
Today’s technology is amazing, but it works best when you have the right mindset. If you are looking for a way to stay motivated and find your voice, I hope my story can be the partner you need.
Click on any retailer below to purchase a copy today
