Lira celebrates big music milestone post stroke
The 'Something Inside So Strong' singer's fans are calling her an "inspiration" after reaching a major music moment.
It has been three years since South African singer Lira was hospitalised after suffering a stroke.
The life-changing moment impacted her speech, leaving the 'Queen of Afro-Soul' without her most precious gift - her voice.
Lira's road to recovery was long, but Lira made a triumphant return to the stage when she performed at a Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) Starlight Classics event in late 2023.
She has never looked back. Lira took to Instagram on Monday to celebrate a significant career milestone.
"The first time I performed in a public space at last year’s Mother’s Day celebration held at @niroxfoundation with the @johannesburgphilharmonic alongside @maleh_music! 12 May 2024. It’s a year since I’ve been singing post stroke."
The 'Feel Good' hitmaker, whose real name is Lerato Molapo, could not talk properly for several months after her 2022 stroke, which occurred during a trip to Germany.
She was diagnosed with aphasia. According to the UK's Stroke Association, "aphasia is the medical term for full loss of language, while dysphasia stands for partial loss of language."
The language disorder, which is often caused by trauma to the brain due to a stroke, head injury or tumour.
Actor Bruce Willis, who has frontotemporal dementia (FTD), was also diagnosed with aphasia.
Lira's fans applauded her determination to overcome her health struggles and return to singing.
"Amazing, my Queen, you’re an inspiration!" one Instagram user commented on her latest post.
Another user told Lira that her recovery will give other people hope.
"@miss_lira you are living proof that 'we are not what happened to us', and what's more, you're a living testimony that when God's not done with you, he'll put you back together no matter how hard the fall. Makes me think of Humpty Dumpty."
Lira has also been inspired by other stroke survivors. She shared a post in October 2024 urging people to to make better lifestyle choices.
"I’ve met so many young people that have had a stroke. It happens more than you realise. We used to think that it only happens to old people. I’ve learned that you don’t just get a stroke - your lifestyle choices have something to do with it. And a lot of us young people don’t REST enough and we are under too much stress," she wrote.
The singer's post also included stroke prevention tips:
• rest
• manage your stress
• check your blood pressure
• control your weight
• exercise regularly
• manage diabetes
• healthy diet
• lower cholesterol
• do health checks every year
• drink and smoke in moderation
"Let’s take care of ourselves," she concluded.
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Main image credit: Instagram/@miss_lira