​Local resident urges support for charity who helped her husband in his recovery

Lin from Portsmouth is supporting the Stroke Association’s ‘I am more than my stroke’ Christmas appeal after the charity helped her husband recover from a devastating stroke in 2014.

When Steve, 58, had a stroke in September 2014, doctors believed he would not survive.

Lin said: “I will never forget the day I was told to prepare for the very worst; the day I was told that my husband would not survive from the huge stroke he’d had.

“That September morning I woke up to find Steve sat up in bed, staring into the distance, not able to move or speak. I instantly knew he’d had a stroke and after trying to speak to him, I quickly dialled 999.

“There was just no hope in the hospital that Steve was going to survive, and within an instant I felt everything being swept from under my feet. I felt so alone in that moment and couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Steve and I had only been married for 15 months before his stroke, we had so many exciting plans for our future together but everything seem to slip away at that moment.

“When Steve left hospital after four and a half months, it was by stretcher to a care home. Steve spent a total of eight and a half months before we were able to live under the same roof again. He was pretty much bed bound for most of that time, and in May 2015 when we moved to where we are now, he was still in considerable pain every day.

“Steve was not the same man he was before his stroke, he struggled to walk because he had paralysis down one side of his body. Outside of his therapy Steve was forced to lay in bed. He was also left with a communication difficulty called aphasia.

“Before the stroke Steve was a Financial Advisor; a highly intelligent man. He led a healthy and active lifestyle and enjoyed to go fishing and socialise with his friends. The stroke robbed him of everything he loved to do, and I felt like I’d lost him. But what it didn’t take was his sheer determination and fight. Steve has had to battle so much throughout his recovery, he was practically bed bound, but incredibly, he didn’t give up.

“I know first-hand that stroke can turn your life upside down in an instant and change it forever. The last four years have been really difficult, when something like this happens you just don’t know where to turn or what to do. But despite what we’ve been through, the support we received from the Stroke Association made us feel that Steve is more than his stroke, he is still Steve and he can still live his life. What Steve has achieved is remarkable, and against all the odds. It really does show what determination can achieve. Steve is example that a stroke is not the end, but more the beginning of a new chapter.

“The Stroke Association will always hold a special place in our hearts. They came at a time when I was spending many nights in a chair by Steve’s hospital bed. They understood and guided us through those heart wrenching days after his stroke. The charity also helped us with a grant which enabled us to buy fishing equipment for Steve so he can fish again. Their local support group has helped give him the confidence and realise he’s not alone. I don’t know where we’d be without the Stroke Association.”

There are more than 100,000 strokes in the UK each year. Stroke continues to be a leading cause of disability and over 80 per cent of stroke survivors require help with daily living such as walking, washing, eating and communicating. The ‘I am more than my stroke’ Christmas appeal is seeking to raise money for the Stroke Association so that they can continue to help more stroke survivors with their recovery.

Esme Mutter, Head of Stroke Support for the Stroke Association said: “For many stroke survivors, rebuilding their lives after stroke is a long and challenging process. Stroke not only presents physical challenges, but the way it suddenly changes people’s lives and their plans for their future can also cause feelings of depression, anxiety and despair. However, we have seen that with the right support many people can be helped to live fulfilling lives following their stroke.

“As the UK’s only charity dedicated to supporting those affected by stroke, we help to address the emotional, practical and physical needs of stroke survivors and their families so they can achieve the best possible quality of life. However, we aren’t yet able to reach everyone who needs our help and that’s why our Christmas Appeal, ‘I am more than my stroke’ is raising essential funds so that we can be there for more people like Steve.”

To find out more about the help and support the Stroke Association offers and to make a donation to its Christmas Appeal visit stroke.org.uk/iammore.