Basildon stroke survivor adds her voice to Lost for Words campaign

Basildon stroke survivor Lin Woodward, 61, is one of the thousands of people living with communication difficulties after a stroke.

Lin had a stroke November 2016 which left her unable to move the right side of her body or talk.

Lin was home alone with her two grandchildren when she realised she was having a stroke. Lin couldn’t reach for her mobile phone to call her husband, but she managed write ‘I’m having a stroke’ on a piece of paper.

Lin said: “I just knew that I was having a stroke the second I couldn’t get my spoon to my mouth. My whole body started to feel numb, I decided that I needed to stay as calm as possible for my grandchildren.

“I had to use my left hand to write the note because at this point my right side was close to being completely paralysed. I thought that if I could make my silly behaviour into a game for the children, they wouldn’t be scared. I pretended to play a game of hide and seek so I could lie under the table and hide my face. Thankfully, my husband came in shortly afterwards and called for an ambulance immediately.

“In hospital I remember hearing the doctors ask what my preference for resuscitation was. I couldn’t speak or comprehend what they were asking me – I was fit and healthy, this couldn’t be happening to me at 61 years old. I didn’t want to be a burden to my family, and visions flashed back of when I had to turn my father’s life support off, I looked at my son knowing he knew what I was thinking. My son spoke clearly and slowly to say I would be resuscitated, and that’s when I decided I was going to fight.

“As I lay in the bed for days with no feeling down the right side of my body, and barely being able to speak, I wondered if I would ever be able to do all the things I had dreamed of doing with my husband. Now almost a year on from my stroke, my speech isn’t the same as it was before, but it’s definitely improving. I sometimes slur my words, and can find it hard to find a word I’m trying to say. Thankfully I have the most wonderful and supportive family and friends who help get me through the bad days.

“After my stroke I started a video diary to help others recovering from a stroke. It ended up being so helpful for my own recovery too. My husband and I always had the dream of buying a caravan and travelling, and after my stroke that’s exactly what we did. I regularly video blog about my life after stroke and hope to spread the message of just how devastating a stroke can be, but also to give others hope to fight. I’m very passionate to raise awareness to others because a stroke can turn your life upside down.”

The Stroke Association’s Lost for Words campaign aims to raise awareness of the challenges stroke survivors with communication difficulties can face, and help and support available.

Michelle Turner, Stroke Support Coordinator at the Stroke Association, said: “After a stroke, around one in three people like Linhave difficulty communicating, which can be both terrifying and isolating. But with the right help and support, many stroke survivors are able to find new ways to communicate, and can rebuild their lives.

“When we first started supporting Lin we knew just how determined she was to communicate with her loved ones again. Since she has been attending our Basildon’s Working Age Stroke group, she’s gone from strength to strength. I’m so proud of her recovery.”

More than 350,000 people in the UK have aphasia, a communication disability which can be caused by stroke. The Stroke Association is urging people to show their support for stroke survivors who are lost for words and make a donation. For more information, visit www.stroke.org.uk/lostforwords.