Attitude is 90% of success

In September 2018 I experienced terrible headaches that my GP couldn't explain. We initially started looking at a range of possible causes. These got worse and after a few weeks I started experiencing several TIA strokes a night that put me in hospital. After a few more weeks of these I experienced a major stroke. This one (and another soon after) left me pretty much blind with central vision about the size of a 20c piece. I had no peripheral vision essentially. I also lost mobility and the ability to stand upright and walk without the use of a walking stick. To top it off I couldn't fully express what had happened or what I was experiencing as I lost cognitive function and was suffering from aphasia. This was all made worse by the medication I was on, so it was pretty terrifying for me and my loved ones.

I spent months in a public hospital a rehab hospital and eventually opthamology tests revealed that I had a mid-line deficit and a loss of peripheral vision. I couldn't adequately explain it then. I was essentially told that whilst my central vision acuity was 20/20, I had lost peripheral visual fields and it was not going to improve.

I came home in December 2018 and commenced rehab. I was referred to Guide Dogs Vic and they were fantastic. An Orientation and Mobility specialist taught be how to use a vision cane. With OT support I regained full use of my limbs and my balance. This allowed me to start walking kilometres every day.

In engaged a Neuro-Physiotherapist and he put me onto the concept of "neuroplasticity" which I have worked toward since then seeking out new experiences and supports to encourage the brain to developed new neural pathways. I took up Tai Chi. I continued to get out and around the community and never stayed home for a full day because I wanted to regain my cognitive unction and vision. I had a hemianopia - I lost my inferior or lower quadrant of vision.

In April 2019 Perimetry testing at the hospital lead one of the Opthalmologists to suggest I go an a pension long term. I rejected that and continued to work to towards a Return To Work plan at work with the aim of getting back to my job as a senior officer in the police.

In May 2019 I started back at work 2 days a week. This eventually increased to 3 and then 4 days a week on a gradual return. This necessitated me using public transport for about an hour and a half - morning an night. This forced me to use my brain.

Whilst I haven't made a full recovery, the effect has been incredible. About 6 months after being told I should go for the pension I re-did the same test and blew them away. Some of my treaters called this a 'gift' and yes it is. Is it complete recovery? No. But basic things like going shopping or using a public toilet are easy again, while once they were terrifying. Imagine trying to use a public urinal when you can't see it?

I still cannot see below my nose, but I have regained most of my peripheral vision. I can get into and around the Melbourne CBD without assistance. I can use a computer and smartphone well although my spelling goes haywire occasionally. That could be cognitive issues or my failing to "scan" as I was taught by the mobility specialist. This happens when I get tired or the spellcheck interferes .

Since January I am now back full time and work in the City in a management tole. In February I again lowered some of my mediation that has side-effects for my vision. Consequently, I stopped being hyper-sensitive to light and have been able to use public transport and work without the use of sunglasses and a vision cane!

People now talk to me like a normal person again and would not know I am visually impaired. I am still looking at treatment options, but even today found some studies worth looking at participating in.

Sorry for the long post but it is a very long story and this only covers part of the journey. I guess the bottom line is for your Dad (and you) to never give up, resolve to be determined no matter what others may think. Sure there will be anger, sadness and frustration - he may never recover - but determination and attitude is 90% of any recovery.

I now continue to get progressive improvements when I do follow-up vision tests. I still have a long way to go to drive again, and my recovery has slowed to a crawl, but I can participate in society, I have kept my job and I can still do a lot of the things I was told or assumed I never could.

Hold on to hope, do the rehab, be positive. A lot of assumptions and 'facts' are beliefs and dogma. Good luck to you both