Aphasia impairs the ability to speak and understand others. Most people with aphasia experience difficulty reading and writing as well. Since aphasia does not affect intelligence, people who suffer from this disorder often become outsiders, isolated from a world that thrives on communication.

After his stroke, Carl was given a deadline of 18 months for recovery. After that, he was told, there would be little or no more improvement. Carl met this challenge head on and defied the expectations of most experts.

In 2010, Carl starred as himself in the celebrated short film, Aphasia. He received rave reviews for his powerful and nuanced performance and is the driving force of the film.

Although his speech is still affected, Carl is a shining example of perseverance, determination, and personal motivation. He shows humor, strength of heart and an amazing spirit in the face of staggering obstacles and inspires audiences to do the same in their lives.