​Camborne stroke survivor shares their first glimmer of hope

Danny Teare from Camborne, is supporting the Stroke Association’s ‘Hope After Stroke’ Christmas appeal, after surviving multiple life changing strokes.

Father of two, Danny, 44, had his first stroke in October 2019 whilst surfing. The following January, Danny had a severe seizure and was rushed to hospital. That’s when doctors discovered that Danny had been living with Phaeochromocytoma (a rare tumour of the adrenal glands). The tumour was causing Danny’s blood pressure to rise very quickly, which was putting him at risk of many complications, including stroke.

After having surgery to remove the tumour, Danny sadly went on to have more strokes, and spent ten days in the Intensive Care Unit recovering.

Danny said: “As a 44 year old husband, father of young twins, surfer and gas engineer, I was definitely not ready for my sudden illness - but I suppose no one ever really is.

“I was ready for most of the other important things in life: I had a surf bag packed ready in my work van prepared to go hit the waves at any moment. A couple of pizzas in the freezer that would get the family through mealtime in case I’d forgotten it was my turn to cook again. A back-up mobile phone that I could use if my work phone got lost or the battery died. But in all honesty, surviving multiple strokes, having life-saving tumour removal surgery, inserting metal plates and pins to rebuild my shoulder, and spending ten days in an intensive care unit were not on my radar.

“Once I returned home I felt completely lost and found my new world confusing and tiring. During my time recovering one important thing has stood out to me: keeping close to those people and things you love the most. Right now I can’t surf, and that has been really hard to come to terms with, but I’ll never forget the moment I was able to put on my wetsuit again, and head down to Godrevy with my family. Having been a regular sea-goer my whole life, the emotions of being back in the ocean’s embrace were very intense, and I shed a few tears at the realisation that my new normal could include a part of my old normal. This is the moment I had the hope and energy to drive myself to find a way to get better and heal.”

Danny is now a member Stroke Association’s Cornwall Community Stroke Network group. Danny said: “My father approached me with the details of a local stroke community group, and initially I was reluctant, but thankfully he convinced me that I had nothing to lose. From the first phone call to attending a community café, I have found the genuine warmth, support and understanding from all involved to be incredibly uplifting.

“This has continued during the COVID-19 pandemic with regular Zoom meetings, and a calendar of craft activities. It’s been really important to have this contact and support during lockdown, which has felt so isolating at times.

“Initially, I found my own progress painstakingly slow, but I learnt quickly from others in my local group to keep my steps small and keep moving forwards to discover my new normal.

“I hope that any stroke survivor, carer, supporter out there in Cornwall or beyond can access and experience a local stroke group. I thought it was just me muddling through on my own, but I’ve been fortunate enough to realise that there are other muddlers too. So have a go, you’ve got nothing to lose!”

Danny is asking people to make a donation to the Stroke Association’s work supporting survivors and their families, as they rebuild their lives this Christmas.

Esme Mutter, Head of Stroke Support at the Stroke Association in the South West said: “When someone’s life has been shattered by stroke, they may feel all hope is gone. But we also know that stroke survivors cling onto even the smallest glimmer of hope. This is what powers them on to achieve what many thought would be impossible. I’ve heard so many stories of remarkable people making recoveries even 20 years after their stroke.”

The charity estimates that there are 8,552people living with the effects of stroke in Cornwall while around 100,000people have a stroke in the UK every year.

“This pandemic has had a serious impact on our ability to raise funds through our usual community events and activities. Many people in our support services have praised the support they received from the Stroke Association, to build on that first glimmer of hope so that they could rebuild their lives after stroke. Hope might be found in a call to our Helpline; through the friendship and support of our online community; or the ongoing support of our Stroke Association Support Coordinators. Rebuilding lives is impossible without hope. And that’s why we’re asking everyone in Cornwall to donate to the Stroke Association and help give someone the gift of hope this Christmas.”

To donate or for more information about stroke and the vital role that hope plays in stroke recovery and rebuilding lives, please visit www.stroke.org.uk/hope