'I can speak' — Lira grateful to tell her story after stroke

Fifteen months after suffering a stroke while in Germany for a show, Lira is determined to share her story.

During a recent speaking engagement, Lira said after learning to speak again she had been yearning to tell her story.

“Since I had a stroke, I couldn't wait to tell my story. I would gesture and act out. It gives me great pleasure to tell my story. I can speak,” she said.

During her first interview since the incident with Relebogile Mabotja on The Upside of Failure on Radio 702, Lira said she did not take life for granted. 

“People have been asking me to share my story but I wasn't ready because I couldn't talk. I wasn't ready to speak in a conversation, but now I'm ready and my speech impediment doesn't bother me as it did before. I'm here to share my story.” 

When a caller asked if there was anything good that came from suffering the stroke, she said “life”.

“Just to enjoy life. I don't take anything for granted. It has made me value life more. When you have a stroke it calms you from the stress of life. When I'm stressed I can't speak, so it is important for me to keep calm and peaceful.”

A year after she suffered the stroke, the Feel Good singer opened up about the day it happened. She wrote a lengthy Instagram post, saying she had been exploring Germany. 

“Today marks a year since I had a stroke. At about 4.15pm I had a stroke, the sensation lasted about 15 minutes. I had no idea what was happening, so I kept walking and nobody could see I had a stroke because I was walking normally. I walked into a restaurant, but I couldn’t talk. I moved my mouth, but words wouldn’t come out. When I realised this, I broke down.”