LIRA'S GERMANY TRIP: A STROKE SILENCED HER VOICE, BUT HER FEARLESS SPIRIT ENDURES.

A STROKE can’t take my fearless

In March 2022, South Africa’s foremost female artist and icon, Lira, was in Frankfurt, Germany. It had been three-years since she travelled and she was looking forward to her upcoming performance with Swedish XXX . While walking around the city, taking in the sights and sounds, the songstress suffered a stroke.

Lira said that the sensation lasted about 15 minutes. “I had no idea what was happening, so I kept walking and nobody could see that 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 couldn’t come out. When I realised this, I just broke down. The restaurant staff offered me a seat. I couldn’t communicate. I thought about asking them for directions to my hotel, but I couldn’t communicate that. Once I stopped crying and got myself together, I left. It took me 2 hours to find my hotel.”

It was about 7pm when Lira arrived at her hotel. She couldn’t communicate with the receptionist so she took a shower, and tried to communicate via WhatsApp - but she couldn’t type. “The words made absolutely no sense to me. I couldn’t figure out what the letters meant and how to put them together.”

In the morning, Lira’s agent sent two people to her room. An ambulance was called and when Lira got to the hospital, she was told that it was a stroke. “I was shocked. I cried the whole day but in the morning, I accepted my situation.”

A stroke may have taken Lira’s speech, but not her fearless.

Lira explains that being fearless is a choice: “It’s about letting go of what you thought your life was supposed to be and just embracing where you are now - and how special it is. I am alive and kicking and that is what matters. To truly live, celebrate each day of your life. Let each day be a festival of joy.”

“My mom taught me that you don’t back down from anything life throws at you. She showed me support when I went after my dreams and when I had a stroke. She did it with such grace, composure and strength. That’s where my fearless comes from. I have been learning how to speak again, learning how to say each letter and forming a sentence. I did so joyfully - I had no anxiety, no stress - just peace and calm. I have made such huge progress. When learning how to speak again - I’ve enjoyed listening and the silence. I’ve learnt to be happier. I’ve learnt to enjoy the simple things. Life is a gift and I hope to celebrate the gift of life for many years.”