CLEARWATER, Fla. — What might look like a room full of people filling out crossword puzzles iss really so much more.

The group that gathered recently in Clearwater truly appreciate words. And they know how hard words are to come by some times.

What You Need To Know

  •  The annual Voices of Hope for Aphasia fundraiser shined a spotlight on the disease that affects so many families.

  •  The word play event featured a crossword puzzle competition.

  •  Member of the Tampa Bay Rays leant their support and showed off their crossword puzzle skills.

Some of the people in the room suffer from aphasia, a disorder where finding the right words is a daily struggle. People like Mark Severini, whose wife Mikhele brought him to the word play event to help raise funds to combat the disease that robs those afflicted with it of the simple art of conversation.

“It’s so encouraging to see to that this disease is out there and it’s becoming more knowledgeable,” Mikhele said. “People are understanding what it is.”

Mark’s struggled with Aphasia for years. He has trouble forming words, but not doing puzzles. They actually help keep his brain sharp, one of the many things that help him cope with his disorder. Many had never heard of aphasia until Hollywood superstar Bruce Willis announced in 2022 that he had the disease, an affliction that affects a part of the brain controlling language. According to the National Aphasia Organization, more than 180,000 people in the United States are diagnosed each year. Part of the goal of this fundraiser is to inform and enlighten.

“Know that everything is still in here, they’re just having difficulty getting it out or understanding what you’re saying,” said Debbie Yones, Voice of Hope for Aphasia Program Director. “So have patience. Have a little bit of compassion.”

In its second year, the Voices of Hope for Aphasia fundraiser drew a packed room. Two of the competitors were Tampa Bay Rays pitchers Pete Fairbanks and Jason Adam. The two leant their support to the cause and showed off their crossword puzzle skills. Rays pitchers routinely do puzzles as part of their pre-game rituals. But this was a different game. This time, the words they were writing down were literally raising money for a great cause. Last year’s event raised more than $120,000, a number they hope to surpass this year.

“I really hope people will come out of this event appreciating and having a little bit more understanding of aphasia because I think part of our mission is to raise awareness,” Debbie said.

That’s what Mikhele Severini wants for her husband. She wants people to understand that even though he might have trouble communicating, he knows what he wants to say, he just can’t get it out sometimes.

“It’s something that nobody would ever dream up but it just hits you and it’s mind numbing for a lot of people,” she said.