It’s the eve of my first Stroke Anniversary and I am sitting here with mixed feelings, so here’s just a few thoughts on my anniversary Much has happened in the past 12 months and much of it seems both a life time away and yet some days it’s still such a struggle.
Recovery from a Stroke starts basically from the moment you have it…….
Twelve months ago, without warning, a blot clot stopped oxygen getting to my brain. It was and is that simple. From the moment that happened my body fought it…..and well its sort of won! I have had a little help though over the past year, starting with the immediate medical attention I received and ending with the discharge from the LGI stroke/neuro unit just under a month ago. However, along the way emotional and physical support has come from many places and some I would have never expected. Colleagues have looked out for me (I went back to work 3 months after the stroke with a phased returned for a following three months after.) and still do, strangers at the gym who I only knew in passing always ask how I am, neighbours helped me out with the school run, my oldest, closest and dearest friends rallied round even coming to visit me in hospital, really not knowing what and who they were going to see.
I will always remember the look on one person’s face when she saw me…..it was pure relief that I was OK.
Another simply chatted to me whist cutting my hospital dinner up as I had no use of my left side. There are many people to thank and I could go on and on, but it may sound like an Oscar acceptance speech! They know who they are.
“Turned a corner today -(quite literally), my lovely physio said I’m good to drive short distances, so drove to supermarket and back on my own! It might sound trivial but it’s a massive step!”
To learn more about learning to drive after stroke read the Different Strokes blog on ‘Driving After Stroke’ HERE.
Stroke affects in different ways. I have learned that I have been lucky. No one stroke is the same, a few of my buddies in the Different Strokes ‘closed’ Facebook support group (a space for younger stroke survivors & their immediate families living the in UK to talk to others affected by stroke) have suffered more physical effects then me.
No one seems to ever be “fixed”. There is no ringing of a bell to say that you are stroke free. Also there’s no guarantee that you won’t have another…….still, where is life without a little risk?
I have had that thought every day for the past 365 days. Will I have them for the next 365? Perhaps so and I will let you know. All I know is that October the 15th will be an important day for me for as long as I need it to be.
To read Nicola’s start of journey here on the “Survivors Stories” section of our website
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.
We’re delighted to announce that Different Strokes Community Events are returning this September, with two fantastic opportunities for younger stroke survivors, family members and carers to come together, connect and share experiences.
Different Strokes is delighted to announce the return of its Glasgow Peer Support Group, providing a welcoming space for working-age stroke survivors, their families and
On Saturday 18th July, over 100 people gathered in Northamptonshire to mark 30 years of Different Strokes. Reclaiming Life After Stroke The day opened with
Free Webinar | Wednesday 22 July | 11:00am When someone you love has a stroke, life can change in an instant. Partners, spouses and family
During June we hosted a Community Event in London at the offices of Bolt Burdon Kemp.
Different Strokes is pleased to be partnering with specialist medical negligence law firm Fletcher’s Solicitors to offer a free online webinar for stroke survivors, families and carers.
