​Paignton stroke survivor shares their first glimmer of hope

Martin Otter from Paignton, is supporting the Stroke Association’s ‘Hope After Stroke’ Christmas appeal, after surviving a life-threatening stroke.

Martin, 58, had a stroke in March 2018 which left him unable to swallow, talk and paralysed down the right side of his body. When Martin arrived at hospital, doctors warned his family that he may not survive.

Martin’s partner, Rich Sanders, was there when Martin had the stroke. Rich recalls: “There were no warning signs that something bad was about to happen the night Martin had the stroke. We were having dinner one evening, and Martin seemed his usual self. All of a sudden he collapsed to the floor, I put him in the recovery position and quickly called for an ambulance.

“In hospital doctors were brutally honest when they let us know it was touch-and-go, and there were chances he wouldn’t survive the night. The situation he was in was life-threatening, and if by a miracle he was to survive, doctors told us they couldn’t guarantee what he would be like.

“But it wouldn’t be Martin if he didn’t defy the odds and fight through. His sheer determination kicked in; and Martin survived.”

Martin spent four days in Torbay Hospital, and two and a half weeks in Newton Abbot Hospital recovering from his stroke. Martin said: “The day after my stroke, I was able to swallow again, and soon after I said my first word: ‘no’. This is all I could say to begin with, and for some time everything was ‘no’!

“In the midst of the UK’s ‘Beast from the East’ snowstorm, Rich travelled to-and-from the hospital to see me, often by train because he couldn’t move his car out of the snow. I vividly remember one evening when he brought his laptop and we looked through photographs together. We are keen photographers and to begin with I struggled to remember the places and photographs Rich was showing me on the laptop, but gradually over the following weeks and months the memories came flooding back to me. I was able remember where we were, and it even helped me to say more words. At this moment I had an overwhelming glimmer of hope; I remember telling myself that I would get better and I’ll be back to doing all the things I love again.

“It was well over a year before I could use my camera. Rich slowly helped me to remember and relearn all the settings, and although I still can't hold the actual camera yet, I can now use a special remote control and a tripod to take photographs again. It felt so good, and I often think back to that moment I was sat in hospital holding onto the hope I’d be able to photograph again.”

Martin and Rich were supported by the Stroke Association, and have since become Ambassadors for the charity. Rich said: “Martin has always led a busy life. He was a very well-known and popular Funeral Director in the local community, for some 24 years. He thrived off seeing family and friends, and exploring new places. The stroke initially left Martin in a wheelchair, which he found really difficult to come to terms with for some time. But as Martin began to get stronger, he wanted to do something to give back to the charity. We love working with them to help other people in the community. It gives us a real sense of pride to be part of a wonderful charity who do such incredible work for those affected by stroke.”

Martin adds: “I’ve come a long way since my stroke. I still have some lingering symptoms, but I continue to get better every day, even two and a half years later. I consider myself very lucky to be here today; and whilst I can’t change what has happened to me, I can determine the way I want to move forward. This is me now, and I have to accept that; I want to live life to the fullest.”

Martin and Rich are 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 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 28,174 people living with the effects of stroke in Devon, 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 Paignton 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