Voices from the margins: The value of a blog for people with communication difficulties

This chapter explores online narratives and comments by people who have post-stroke dysarthria, a communication difficulty. Our aim is to gather valuable insights into the experience of this group in terms of the isolation and social exclusion they face, and to show that their lived experiences may not be sufficiently “heard” by health care professionals or understood by the wider community. We believe that our findings will provide additional evidence to increase the understanding of the lived experience of people with dysarthria by researchers and healthcare professionals and that this will enhance inclusion in health settings and society. We also show the benefits of an online support platform for research and for those affected by communication difficulties more broadly.