Strangers are reaping the benefit of a tragedy that hit Orewa Rotarian Rod Dennis

SPEECHLESS: Recovery success after being struck dumb by aphasia has prompted, from left, Murray Higgins, Bill Reece, Keith Barnard and Rod Dennis to help others similarly afflicted.

In February 2003, aged 72, he was having success as district chairman of Rotary's biggest project - raising millions to combat malaria - when he had a stroke.

It severely damaged his brain's language centre and he says it made him feel such a 'freak' he stayed home for three months.