Understanding what words no longer say

10 Jun 2025 Stroke support

Louis Gustin had a stroke aged 24 and is an active campaigner and advocate for stroke. Louis has undertaken a number of physical challenges, often alongside his wife Élise – a doctor and fellow stroke survivor – to raise awareness of stroke.

Here Louis and Élise tell us about their comic sharing the experience of stroke and living with aphasia.

‘’AVC or Stroke in English: a comic strip to give a different voice to aphasia. In 2016, I had a stroke. I lost my words, my bearings, my balance. Today, I'm turning them into stories.

My comic strip, published in 2025 by Glénat, is simply entitled “AVC”. It tells the story, with humour and emotion, of rebuilding after a stroke, and how aphasia disrupts communication, but never willpower.

With Élise, who has also suffered a stroke, we brought this story to life in two voices. And two bodies. It's a comic book for anyone trying to understand what words no longer say.

From the start of my rehabilitation, with my sister, we had thought that a graphic novel would be really exciting. I couldn’t draw, and I also couldn’t draw with my left arm, my new dominant arm. Years passed. In 2017, Élise came into my life. We worked hard to find an illustrator, and found Céline Théraulaz.

I want to keep raising awareness about aphasia, and the graphic novel is a way to describe the life of someone who has lived through it and rehabilitated. I want all those with aphasia to believe in themselves. I want to thank all speech therapists, logopedists, and speech pathologists.’’

The tour of the 3 lakes: making silences speak

Alongside developing the comic, Louis and Élise have been undertaking tours to raise awareness of aphasia.

‘’In 2021 on Lake Geneva, 2024 on Lake Annecy and in 2025, on Lake Bourget, we crossed Lakes Geneva, Annecy and Bourget on tricycles... to raise public awareness of aphasia.

Each stop was an encounter, an explanation, a helping hand. Because aphasia isn't just a language problem. It's a human, social and daily challenge.''

What's next? The Via Rhôna

''In 2026, Élise and I will set off on the 800 km Via Rhôna, from Geneva to the Mediterranean.

Our aim: to turn each stage into an awareness-raising event. Conferences, meetings, exchanges with caregivers, families and the general public.

Because every kilometer covered is a message: Yes, you can move forward after a stroke. Yes, you can rebuild, slowly but surely.’’

Élise explains ‘’Since I have known Louis Gustin, my life partner since 2017 and the father of my son, I am constantly amazed by his motivation and energy. This graphic novel was a dream, but once again, I had a hard time believing we would make it, just like the European tour, the Tour du Léman, the France 2 documentaries, and my book. I really need to start trusting in our dreams and projects, because when we have an idea in mind, you can be sure that we will never give up. Our journey has been full of obstacles, as is the case with any life path. There are ups and downs, but we want to give hope and motivation. The key takeaway is that EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE, and strength is multiplied by love’’.

Back to the top

Our partners and sponsors

Platinum Plus

Bronze

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Bronze

Silver