Hampshire stroke survivor finds his voice and helps others

Harold Conqueror, 81, from Romsey, dedicates his time to help local stroke survivors in their recovery, after a stroke 14 years ago left him unable to speak.

In 2004, Harold was driving with his wife, Barbara when he had a stroke and crashed his car. Harold said: “We were driving in Bristol and my son and his family were in the car behind. I remember having a strange feeling come over me – it’s really hard to explain, I felt in control but something just wasn’t right. My driving soon became erratic, and as Barbara was asking me if I was OK I couldn’t respond. My foot was pressed down on the escalator, and Barbara got increasingly worried. She managed to grab the steering wheel and take us off the road. We went into a grass verge and the car flipped on its side. My son and other local residents who saw the crash managed to pull my wife out of the car first, and then they were able to get to me. When the paramedics arrived they confirmed I’d had a stroke straight away and Barbara had broken her collarbone in the accident. We were both rushed to hospital.”

The stroke left Harold with a speech condition called aphasia. Harold adds: “For the first couple of weeks I struggled to speak, but I felt determined to get better. I was so focussed on speaking again, I knew I could do it. After I left hospital I joined the Totton Stroke Association Voluntary Group to get support with my speech. I had already made a good improvement in two weeks, but I didn’t want to stop practising. The Stroke Association group was vital in my recovery.

“Recovery doesn’t just happen overnight, and without the Stroke Association’s group I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to practice and improve my speech. 14 years later and I’m still at the group, I now volunteer to help other stroke survivors who come through the door with their recovery. When others may give up on you, the Stroke Association is always there; they believe in you. That’s why I’m so thankful for all they’ve done for me, and others in the community.

“Many stroke survivors can leave hospital and not have anyone to speak to. When you have aphasia it’s so important to keep speaking as much as you can, to practice conversation. The Totton Stroke Association Voluntary Group gives you a chance to meet other stroke survivors, and join in on a conversation.”

Esme Mutter, Head of Stroke Support at the Stroke Association, said: “Stroke has a massive and sudden impact. People’s lives are changed forever - not just for the stroke survivor, but for their family and friends as well. The Totton Stroke Association Voluntary Group helps people affected by stroke to rebuild their lives.

“Being able to speak again, return to work, maintaining independence and relationships is vitally important for the person to feel like they are heading back to a place of normality. It is also important in helping people to adapt to and accept a new way of life and participate in new activities which is key to recovery. Without the incredible support from our team of volunteers like Harold, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. We’re so grateful to Harold’s hard work with the group, he helps to motivate and encourage other stroke survivors on a weekly basis.”

The Totton Stroke Association Voluntary Group meets at Totton and Eling Community Centre, every Wednesday from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. To find out more about the group, or to volunteer your time to helping local stroke survivors in Hampshire, please get in touch with Carly Davey on Carly.Davey@stroke.org.uk or 07717 275850.