Press release -
Sunderland stroke survivor calls on residents to find their festive spirit
Opening Christmas presents is the favourite Christmas activity for people living in the North East (60%), according to a new survey by the Stroke Association.(i)
The charity has found that the region’s favourite activities at Christmas time also include cooking Christmas dinner (48%) and decorating the tree (44%).
Yet many of the UK’s 1.2 million stroke survivors are no longer able to enjoy these and many other Christmas pleasures.(ii)
For well over a third of stroke survivors (39%), the effects of their stroke will mean that this Christmas they will be unable to play with the kids or grandkids, decorate the tree, and cook or help to cook the Christmas dinner.
One in five stroke survivors won’t even be able to wish their friends and loved ones a “Merry Christmas” due to problems with their communication.
Mother of one Susanne Dury, 44 from Sunderland, will experience her first Christmas since a life changing stroke earlier this year.
Working a busy career as a caterer, Susanne woke up in the morning and felt like her normal self, although she had been complaining of a stiff neck and feeling tired.
She said: “About an hour into my shift I was talking to a friend and she asked if I was listening, apparently I was looking straight through her. Then I had shooting pains in my legs, it felt like an electric shock.”
Susanne’s partner came to collect her from work and took her to A&E at Sunderland. She added: “By the time I got to A&E I was dragging the left side of my body. I didn’t think for one minute it was going to be a stroke; not at my age. At hospital, I had a CT scan and an MRI. That’s when they found I had a blood clot on my brain. I was so upset.
“I’m feeling much better now. I still suffer with bad headaches, and I’m always overthinking, worrying if it’s another stroke. It’s a constant stream of ‘what ifs’ going around in my head. Sometimes I think this is worse than the stroke itself. I’ve lost all my confidence and I don’t get behind a wheel or go out by myself any more.
“Without my partner, son and family I wouldn’t be able to manage. My partner sets out all my medication for me as I am still quite forgetful and can be quite clumsy. It’s like being a child again, I feel like I have to be watched. However, you have your good days and your bad days. I remind myself that I’m still here.
“I’m pleased that I’m here for Christmas, but I’m not as excited as I would normally be. I would normally do everything with my little boy, we like to go long walks and ice skating. I can’t even wear a pair of high heels at the moment so definitely won’t be wearing ice skates! That upsets me because I really do enjoy doing things with my son.”
Kate Charles, Regional Director at the Stroke Association, said: “Christmas is a special time to enjoy with family and friends, but for thousands of people stroke will have had turned their lives upside down. That’s because stroke happens in the brain, the control centre of who we are and what we can do. The impact varies depending on which part of the brain is affected. It could be anything from wiping out your speech and physical abilities, to affecting your emotions and personality.
“The Stroke Association helps people to rebuild their lives after stroke, but we cannot do this without your support.
“This Christmas we want to highlight the challenges that stroke survivors face as they struggle to take part in the activities we cherish the most, from putting the Christmas Fairy on top of the tree to cooking Christmas Dinner or playing with their children and grandchildren.
“For those survivors whose stroke has left them with speech and communication difficulties, even the simple pleasure of wishing someone a Merry Christmas has been taken away.
“The Stroke Association supports more than 70,000 people as they rebuild their lives after stroke but we can’t do this alone. Donations to our Christmas Appeal can help more stroke survivors like Susanne to get the vital support they need to rebuild their lives. Please donate now at stroke.org.uk/gifts.”
To donate to the Stroke Association’s Christmas Appeal and help support stroke survivors to rebuild their lives visit stroke.org.uk/gifts
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- Stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK and it changes lives in an instant.
- The Stroke Association is a charity working across the UK to support people to rebuild their lives after stroke. We believe that everyone deserves to live the best life they can after stroke. From local support services and groups, to online information and support, anyone affected by stroke can visit stroke.org.uk or call our dedicated Stroke Helpline on 0303 3033 100 to find out about support available locally.
- Our specialist support, research and campaigning are only possible with the courage and determination of the stroke community and the generosity of our supporters. With more donations and support, we can help rebuild even more lives.
- You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
