Richard's video rehab diary
From Richard
"On the 7th of March 2021, I was already in hospital recovering from a spinal fusion and a staph infection when I suddenly had a stroke.
I couldn’t speak, my face started to droop, and I had no movement in my right hand, arm and leg. Fortunately, a nurse walked in as this was occurring.
Since then, my life has been flipped upside down. Before my stroke, I was self-employed as a charter boat owner-operator and was working 7 days a week. I was reasonably fit and used to coach Aussie rules. Now, I can no longer work, and my energy is less than half what it used to be."
Since then he has been documenting his journey to get back to fishing.
He started with exercises to get his hand moving again.
As he lives in the Northern Territory, he needed to be able to put on a hat.
He then worked on turning the reel on his fishing line.
Here is Richard's latest video. He is still working hard. He says, "After weeks of practice I’ve finally got that bloody peg repetitive rehabilitation = goals keep on keeping on."
Keep on keeping on 9 months on I’m slowly getting strength back 15kilos is better than nothing persistent repetitive rehabilitation pays off!
My Sensational Stroke Adventures………We’ll it’s Xmas and soon it’ll be Easter Anyway something different for Xmas another part of my Rehabilitation Thanks to The Government for Supplying me with this Aid …..To help my getting those bloody Digits working again. Maybe there’s a spot in a New Marvel Movie for me yet anyway take care you Mob I can’t stop and chat gotta keep on keeping on as the Government don’t like given things out to those who don’t use them…. Or Doo they Cheers.
Richo has reached a huge milestone in his recovery. He's been working for over 9 months to be able to put a cap on his head again – and he’s done it!!
Bloody great work Richo!!
Richard has been sharing his progress since a stroke in March 2021, via a video diary.
He had been doing well, but in keeping with Richard’s wish for transparency he is sharing his recent setbacks.
Richard says, “rehab is now very slow. I am having lots of problems with my right arm and hand. I have a tear in my shoulder and Clonus and hyperreflexia (hyperactive or repeating (clonic) reflexes) hasn’t helped. I’m in lots of pain. I’m trying to do my best, but the pain is really bad."
If you have any advice for Richard, please post below. He knows the StrokeLine number but is after comments from the community too. Richard hopes that by sharing he’ll start a conversation that will help both him and others.