. . .
Back in t'day when I was a gainfully employed contributing member of society, I would spend my day assessing, and once in a blue moon, actually treating people on a general rehab ward.

One lady I had begun (began?) to assess was a 60something lady who'd had a stroke (easy!) affecting her right side. Quite commonly found in these right hemi's can be speech difficulties (to do with the part of the left side of the brain which 'does' speech and language).
The lady in question had not only been so lucky as to be afflicted with a very dense right sided-weakness, but also with significant aphasia (generally: impairment of language) and if I'm not mistaken, quite likely some dyspraxia also, both with her speech and also apparent within function.
She was a very social person prior to her stroke, very chatty, a real sweetie, and very proper so you can imagine (can you? go on, try) how frustrating it probably was for her to all of a sudden be rendered speechless and pretty much dependent. Literally.
And not for lack of trying.

I can't recall the exact assessment, but it was at her bedside (you know how ultimate soundproofed those areas are once you pull the curtains round for 'privacy') and I recall her trying really fucking hard to tell me something.

"c-c-c-c-c-c-c . . . "

I wait. She is clearly trying to get it out but perseverating, and I know its rude to try and second guess constantly. I'll only let someone struggle for so long.

"c-c-c-c-C-C-C-C . . . "

I'm trying to make sure my face is wearing the appropriate expression of patience and encouragement

"C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C- CUNT!"

That poor lady. And yes, I'm professional, so I didn't laugh in her face, but my god it was hard to keep my face straight.
For all I know, she was telling me what she thought of me.
(maggotriddendirtbox fast, feral and sharp as a tack since, Tue 27 Jul 2010, 8:25, 4 replies)

AB I'll save you the bother
old lady swears unintentionally
(maggotriddendirtbox fast, feral and sharp as a tack since, Tue 27 Jul 2010, 8:26, closed)

My Nan
once said Fucks Bizz instead of Bucks Fizz, she went bright red. True story.
(viciousal, Tue 27 Jul 2010, 9:57, closed)

so you were a SALT then?
cool profession. my other half does it.
(UppityDamnPrimate LET'S OPEN THIS F*CKING PIT UP, Tue 27 Jul 2010, 12:43, closed)

begun
begun's the past participle, and began is the simple past. So, I began, I have begun, I had begun.
( Sextant goes to him is emotionally erect, on this day, Wed 28 Jul 2010, 13:37, closed)