Debby's Story | Different Strokes

“I was 37 years old when I had my stroke. It was totally unexpected. On Monday 20th May 2013 I had walked my son to school and when I got home I fell asleep. We’d had a busy weekend. I took my son on Sunday to bowling along with his friends because it was his 6th birthday. My daughter was getting ready for her GCSEs and went to school on the Monday for exams.

I didn’t go to bed on the Sunday night because I was doing my coursework for university (Social Work degree), which had to be in on the Friday. When I woke up I tried to go to the toilet, but I could not get there.

I tried to call my oldest son who was downstairs, but he didn’t hear me. I crawled onto the landing and shouted him.

Finally, he saw me I thought I made sense, but I didn’t when I shouted him. He phoned for an ambulance and went to my neighbours. I went unconscious then I remember my next door neighbour being there. I also remember my dad being there. It was totally weird!!! I kept on going in and out of unconsciousness.

My mum was waiting for the ambulance to get to the hospital. I don’t know what happened then. I was in hospital for 7 weeks and the hospital didn’t want me to go yet but I was bored. I couldn’t speak, write or read. I was in a wheelchair. My right hand was not working. It still doesn’t. I have learned to walk again. My reading is OK and I have learned to write with my other hand.

I passed my driving test again and got an automatic car. Soon after I started the attending the local Stroke club. I am so grateful that I have a great family. My husband said that he was scared when I came home because I couldn’t do anything. Now I go to the gym, I go to acupuncture, oxygen with my parents and I used to go to a speech woman and a physio. This year for Christmas we are going to a hotel for our dinner which is paid for by our kids. I would tell anyone who is in this predicament not to give up!! Yes, I have days that I don’t want to get up, but I do. In the future I want to get back to Hull University to do Social Work degree (I think I want to work helping other stroke survivors) but I’ll wait and see an take it one day at a time.”

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There are 100,000 strokes in the UK each year with 1 in 4 happening to somebody of working age or younger. Different Strokes aims to promote independent stroke recovery and help these younger stroke survivors reclaim their lives.

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