Hammersmith and Fulham stroke survivor pays tribute to the Stroke Association

A local Hammersmith and Fulham stroke survivor who was left paralysed down one side of his body after surviving four strokes, is today paying tribute to the Stroke Association for helping him in his recovery.

Vaughn Pearce, 55, of Uxbridge Road was celebrating his birthday with friends last summer when he incredibly survived four huge strokes.

After his friends left his house around midnight, Vaughn was home alone and suddenly started collapsing. It wasn’t until two days later when a neighbour became worried and decided to look through Vaughn’s window, she saw him unconscious on the floor.

Vaughn said: “The last thing I remember is saying goodbye to my friends and making it to my bedroom. My neighbour who hadn’t seen me since my birthday became increasingly worried and climbed over to my garden. Thanks to her quick thinking, she was able to see me through a small crack in my window and quickly called for help. I was then rushed to Charing Cross Hospital.

“Doctors couldn’t believe I’d survived the strokes. I’d fell over so many times whilst having the strokes, that I’d done serious damage to my head and face. After waiting so long to be found by someone, it’s a miracle that I’m here today. Something that has always stuck with me is when the doctor told me to not feel sorry for myself, but to consider myself very lucky to be alive.”

Vaughn was left paralysed down the left hand side of his body. In hospital he was visited by the Stroke Association’s local support coordinator.

Vaughn adds: “Lying in the hospital bed I felt so alone and scared. I was trying to process a lot of information and whilst I was thankful to be alive, what to come was still daunting. I didn’t know how life would be out of hospital, and adjusting to life with the paralysis I was left with scared me.

“When the Stroke Association visited me in hospital though, I felt a huge sense of relief. I felt as if I could ask all the questions that were running through my head, and also emotionally lean on them for the support I needed in coping with what had just happened to me. As much as I praise the wonderful NHS staff for their care, having someone on a more personal level like the Stroke Association made such a difference.

“After leaving hospital the Stroke Association visited me at home, they helped to go through my questions, feelings and provide more information to support me. I didn’t feel alone knowing the charity were by my side all the time. The Support Coordinator was so calm, happy and friendly, it felt as though I was talking to a friend. I now attend the local support group where I meet other stroke survivors in my position, and take part in exercises and activities to help with my recovery. It’s a wonderful place which is truly helping so many of us in the borough. It’s something to get excited for every fortnight, I really enjoy being there and the support they continually offer is remarkable. With their support we never feel as though we have been left alone to deal with what’s happened to us all.

“The charity do such amazing work locally and I owe a lot of thanks to them for what they’ve done for me. Stroke is a cruel condition that can happen to anyone at any time. The reality is, it’s scary. Within an instant your life is turned upside down. I’m now left with a disability and wholeheartedly believe the Stroke Association have been a vital part of my recovery. I don’t know where I’d be without them.”

Sonia Timlett, Stroke Association Support Coordinator in Hammersmith and Fulham said: “It’s been wonderful to see Vaughn’s improvement week on week with his recovery. He’s a very determined man, and his hard work has definitely paid off. A stroke strikes around every five minutes in the UK and almost two thirds of stroke survivors leave hospital with a disability. The local support we provide across Hammersmith and Fulham has proven to be a key part of the stroke community in the borough, helping local stroke survivors on their road to recovery.”

For more information about the Stroke Association’s support in Hammersmith and Fulham, please contact Sonia Timlett on Sonia.Timlett@stroke.org.uk or 07540513292.