Ceredigion stroke survivor says ‘I am more than my stroke’.

66-year-old Clive Dicks from Pontrhydfendigaid had a stroke in February, which left him unable to speak or move his right side.

Clive said:

“Spending Christmas with my family will be so important to me; I feel glad to be alive.

“Looking back to the day of my stroke, I thought there was nothing wrong with me. Luckily my grandson could see there was. He got in touch with a stroke nurse who lives in my village and she told me to go to hospital, and let them know I was coming. On the journey to hospital I lost all ability to speak and I by the time I arrived I couldn’t say anything at all.

“I was in hospital for five weeks and it took even longer to work on regaining my speech.”

There are around 7,400 strokes in Wales 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.

After returning home, Clive was referred to a local Stroke Association coordinator who offered him vital support, including helping him to gain financial assistance for the disabilities caused by his stroke.

Clive said:

“My job as a builder was physical and I was used to being fit, so it was such a shock not to be able to use my right side, especially to write. But it’s slowly getting better. One way I’m making sure of that is by sweeping the floor every day to strengthen my right arm, and I’ve learned to use predictive text on my phone with my left hand.

“I have a friend who had a stroke two years ago, and he can play his guitar again now. So by next Christmas, my goal is to be back playing my guitar too!”

Carol Bott, Director of the Stroke Association in Wales, 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 Wales’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 Clive.”

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.