Press release -
Bury stroke survivor calls on residents to find their festive spirit
Opening Christmas presents is the favourite Christmas activity for people living in the North West (69%), 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 wishing people Merry Christmas (48%) and decorating the tree (47%).
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.
David Hiscott from Greenmount is a father of two and Head of Service Operations at Aon. Hugely passionate about health and fitness, he ate healthily, never smoked, drank moderately and exercised almost every day. However, David had a life changing stroke in December 2017, which has left him with weakness on his left side.
He said: “Initially I was completely paralysed down my left side; I had zero balance and no feeling at all down my left-side. I’ve made some good progress since thanks to ongoing physiotherapy, both private and through the NHS and I’ve been lucky to have great support from my family and friends. My wife and two daughters Freya, aged 13, and Anya, aged 10, have all been remarkably strong and a source of constant support.
“As we approach the festive season, I’m still unable to do many things but I intend to keep Christmas as normal as possible for my family. I do need help from my girls to wrap and unwrap my presents. I always used to love carving the turkey, my role on Christmas Day, but for now that’s still a struggle and for now Christmas dinner will have to be eaten with just a fork. As someone who writes with my right-hand, I’m now the designated Christmas card writer.”
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 David 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.
