​Haslemere stroke survivor shares their first glimmer of hope

Trevor Cruickshank, 43, from Haslemere, is supporting the Stroke Association’s ‘Hope After Stroke’ Christmas appeal, after surviving a stroke just five months ago.

Trevor, who owns a local catering business, started to feel tired and unwell whilst out on a delivery for work. Trevor said: “I couldn’t work out what was happening to me, but it was a strange foggy haze of tiredness that I have never experienced before. I remember thinking I needed to get through my deliveries as soon as possible so I could get back home.

“The following day I was still feeling unwell, and after my symptoms began to get worse, a friend convinced me to call 111. Within 10 minutes a paramedic was in my house and warning me that I could be possibly having a stroke.”

Trevor was rushed to Frimley Park Hospital stroke unit where he spent three days recovering from his stroke. The stroke left Trevor with weakness down the right side of his body; he struggled to walk and move his right hand.

Trevor adds: “I remember lying in the hospital bed in complete disbelief. I was healthy, only 43 years old, and all I could do was keep asking myself: ‘why is this happening to me?’

“Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, my husband Chris, was unable to visit me in hospital. I had to call Chris to explain what was happening, and I remember hearing the pain in his voice as he was reassuring me that we would get through this together. That’s when, deep down, I had a glimmer of hope that I wasn’t going to give up. I kept telling myself how much life I had left to live, and I couldn’t leave Chris. I put all my trust in the incredible doctors, nurses and physiotherapists caring for me, and fought through the tears, anger and pain.”

“I count myself very lucky to have made a good recovery after a stroke, but there is still hard days. Since having the stroke, I’ve found out that relatives have also had strokes but never spoken about it. I’ve realised that a stroke can happen to anyone at any time, but if you are of African or Caribbean origin you may have a higher risk of stroke than other people in the UK.

“I’m now really passionate about raising awareness; I never thought it would happen to me, but I believe it’s so important we all talk about it and share our experiences to help others.”

Trevor 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.

Tara Lakin, Head of Stroke Supportat the Stroke Association in the South East 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 14,453 people living with the effects of stroke in Surrey, while around 100,000 people 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 Surrey 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