Up again after stroke - World Stroke Day
By Tracey Skene
It is World Stroke Day on October 29, and I am one of the 475,000 stroke survivors living in the community in Australia.
You probably know one of us yourself. We come in the form of mothers, brothers, aunts, grandfathers, colleagues and even kids. Stroke can affect anyone at any time.
My name is Tracey, I am a wife, a mother and last year - when I was 49 - I had a stroke.
It was the end of a busy and stressful week for me when a strange pain began in my right leg. I tried not to let it bother me though and took myself to bed.
Six hours later I lost control of my right side, my face drooped and my speech was slurred. Thankfully I was able to alert my husband and get to hospital quickly.
From then on, I knew my life had changed.
This World Stroke Day, I am partnering with Stroke Foundation to remind people there is life after stroke and you are not alone. The theme for World Stroke Day is “up again after stroke” and that is something I remind myself every day. Stroke knocked me down, but I will get up again.
There are days when this frankly seems impossible. Rehabilitation is hard. I had to learn to walk, talk and feed myself again. But with the help of a wonderful medical team and the support of my family I was determined to make a good recovery and be able to do the simple things again – things we take for granted like showering and putting on a bra.
For me, getting “up again after stroke” took time, patience and hard work. Despite chronic fatigue and anxiety, I set small goals that were important to me and slowly ticked them off.
I learnt to cook one handed and to cuddle my family and my grandchildren with both arms. When I left rehab, I ended up walking out – not perfectly - but walking nonetheless.
In the months that followed, I got the majority of my arm use back, my writing improved and I returned to work. I even completed a TAFE course and won an award for student of the year.
While stroke does change you, I am proof it is possible to get up again.
I may not have the same stamina or strength I used to have, but I am feeling satisfied with life. It has changed my outlook for the better and has made me and my family stronger. I know how lucky I am to be here and I continue to adapt and recover every day. There is hope.