Main content

‘Without music, I’m lost’ — Edwyn Collins on life after his stroke

Singer and musician Edwyn Collins – famous as the lead singer in Orange Juice and for solo hits such as A Girl Like You – experienced two catastrophic strokes in 2005.

As his recovery continues, he shared the story of his difficult journey to rediscover words and language in the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Loop documentary Finding the Right Words.

‘Without music I’m lost’ — Edwyn Collins on life since his stroke in 2005

‘I was the same man after my stroke, but it’s difficult to get the words right.’

More on Edwyn’s recovery, in his own words

(From 2014)

Around the release of the documentary The Possibilities are Endless, which charted Edwyn’s recovery, he and wife/manager Grace Maxwell spoke to Afternoon Edition.

(From 2017)

At the 6 Music Festival, Edwyn spoke to Stuart Maconie about the first songs he ever wrote, his ongoing recovery and everything in between.

How to spot the signs of a stroke before it happens

(From Trust Me, I’m a Doctor, 2015)

Every three-and-a-half minutes, someone in the UK has a stroke. However, up to 80% of these could be prevented. There are clues that you may be about to suffer one, and prompt treatment can help you avoid it happening.

Many people experience ‘funny turns’ and simply dismiss them, but they could be an important warning sign: a TIA or transient ischaemic attack. These are often known as a mini stroke or ‘warning stroke’, but people aren’t as aware of them as they should be.

The symptoms are the same as a major stroke, but they can be over in minutes. Remember the symptoms of both a stroke and a TIA by the word FAST:

F: Has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?

A: Can they raise both arms and keep them there?

S: Is their speech slurred?

T: Time to call 999 if you see any single one of these sign

Remember, even if the symptoms pass quickly they could be a vital warning sign. Each year in the UK 46,000 people have a TIA and 1 in 12 then go on to have a major stroke.

Latest features from ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland