I wonder if people would like to share their experience regarding 'return to work' after stroke? Was it a case of 'how can we assist you' or 'you are not capable of doing it'? Thank you for sharing as I understand that it is a bit of an emotional topic (not to mention that it's often a question of basic survival.
Michael R.
My husband was let go as there were no positions available to accommodate his disabilities (he worked in industry as a maintenance planner). He has aphasia and hemiplegia. His goal was to return to work (he is only 48 yo) and he cried a lot when they told him he was unable to return. We can understand why he was let go as he is unable to speak more than a few words and his writing is not much better ... he's still smart as a whip though.
Dear Michelle, thank you for sharing. I understand that we live in a competitive world. I just feel that there is so much opportunity for a business to adjust and integrate people with a disability (I've seen it with my previous employer). What annoys me is when a company states to have certain values, but fail to actually live those values.
Hi Michelle, has your husband tried to volunteer somewhere? I did for 18 months before returning to work in 2019. Helped me a lot.
I think that in my case it was a combination of a manager not knowing me from before (new in the role) and the business wanting to cut costs. What surprised me most was that I was called into a meeting while on stress leave! As if they could not have waited...
Hi Michael,
We have a goal of him returning to work in the future and are working towards that with the help of his rehabilitation team. He will be going for his license in a few months (we are in a Regional area and an OT only comes to our area once every 3 months) which will help him gain some independence. And, yes, volunteer work would be a great way to transition back into work.
Hi Michael,
I think you've seen the conversation on Facebook. However, here are the answers here. You really started something with your question.
Nicholas Martin
I think I was one of the lucky ones. I was very pleasantly surprised that the company I worked for let me return to work by starting on about 2 hours a day and were very supportive towards me. I had multiple TIA's at work and had to go by ambulance to emergency on more that one occasion. The work place nurse made up a PowerPoint display to show to the people I worked most closely with. I think it comes down mostly to the size of the company as a lot of small companies are not always aware of the law. I think it also helped that I was a Union delegate and had great union support. After my last visit to hospital last September I was advised by my doctor to retire so with the support of the company I did just that. Good luck to you all and as they say in union world Fight the Fight
Will Johns
I had mine at work and I was off for 5 weeks but I have returned to normal duties. The fatigue is hard as my job is physical and work to my surprise has been fine . My real concern was that I could still paint and draw both of which I can still do .
Annemieke Clark
Good topic to raise, Michael. As more people surviving stroke are of working age, supporting the transition back to work is so important and needs to be prioritiz
Rhonda Lee Drenen
I had a stroke whilst at work, I was told I could not leave as my manager had to do the banking and I needed to look after things, I lost half my vision on my right side in both eyes. When I went to return a few months later I was told they couldn’t give me all my shifts back and would be cutting hours to once a week instead. I was told I should be on a pension and shouldn’t need to work as a result.
Brent Pollard
Gradual return and just work when you can. I started off about 6hrs 3 days per week, then went to 5 days, then back to full time after about 3 months. Don't forget to give yourself time to rest!
Derek Grahame
I just want to thank everyone who contributed to this post, especially Michael who raise his situation. I am just about to come up to my 1 year anniversary on 24 March. It has been the hardest year of my 51 years.
That you for your stories and honesty, it has helped me understand what other people are experiencing.
I am hoping to get my license back, I have had some tests recently.
But I am not sure how I would go in regards to working, as fatigue is a big problem with my recovery, along with my cognitive issues.
I wish everyone all the best in their journey to recovery, what ever that may look like
Poonam Shah
The latter was in my case. They abused me for free labour as a work trial. And then tell me I made a lot of mistakes. The truth would have been nice " we cannot have a person on a wheelchair working at the hotel!" Very inclusive they were... NOT. Even at the trial they placed me at the back of the office, facing the wall. I dunno why I kept going for the 3 months unpaid!! Biggest regret in my life.
Janice Stanbridge
I was bullied until I totally shut down emotionally, I will never forget it, and never forgive those responsible
Brenda Booth
Michael it can be a mixture of both “how can we assist you” and also questioning the person with a disability’s capabilities. Many organisations/agencies are attempting to get their act together but hang in there! It can be a case of working with them until they get it...Good Luck
Belinda Greenslade
I had an ischaemic in 2015 and could not return to my bookkeeping role that I had done for 15yrs since leaving school. Since then, I've tried all sorts of things and had more jobs in these last 6yrs than I have across the rest of my working life. I used to be proud of the loyalty my resume would show. Now it shows a random "can't decide what she wants to do" lunatic lol. I had to test myself and its always fatigue that ends the ride. I started studying last year for Cert 3 teacher aides so I can work school hours with my 2 children still at home, and also have regular holidays that I am not used to getting. I'll finish my course in a few months. I honestly wondered what I was doing when I committed but now I have, I must see what this brain has left. School hours are working well for me so far and im in a supportive school. Allot of chopping and changing and being frustrated at myself. Hopefully I've found the most suitable thing for me. Time will tell. I also haven't been upfront with my past unless I'm asked direct questions, I just try fake it til I make it. Push on and do what feels right x
Riley Roy Riley
I went back to work on a phased return .. 4 hours a night at first then after a month 6 hours a night ..then slowly until back to normal .. I was given a man down radio if I felt ill .. the company could not do more to make sure that I was safe up well ..now 5years on it's all good .. ps they paid me in full also .. the joy of being salaried ..😎
Margaret Saska
I wish you all the very best Michael not sure what work you do but I tried to go back to work,which was working in retail fashion but I was unable to do the work I needed to do so I had to resign my self that my working days were over. I hope you have better luck than me
Karlee Rachel
I returned to work 1 week after my stroke. Luckily I can do a lot via Telehealth at home. My employer was and still is super supportive, especially as my job requires me to travel to different areas and I can’t drive due to loosing part of my vision. I was also completing a masters degree at uni and my teachers were all incredibly supportive of my return and made adjustments to suit my needs. I must add that I don’t suffer too badly with fatigue and it’s just my eyesight that was affected.
Samantha Dunn
My husband's previous employer was very unsupportive, he had a stroke at work at 40 they are a large supermarket chain. They promised to modify duties and they decided that there wasn't anything suitable after over a year of promises. My husband was a wreck after that and it took a while to build up his confidence to apply for jobs. But he has successfully gained employment in Traffic management and its working out really well.
Good luck
Debra Bartel Waymark
My company wouldn’t let me come back. I was a Carer I had to be 100% able to do the work. I then was given Income Protection from my Superannuation until 67
Meegan Allen
Going back to work is great yet the hardest thing I have ever done. I had my stroke at work at only 33. My company is amazing to work for and don’t put pressure on me for anything, if I’m honest they are the first to notice something is wrong. They also saved my life (unbeknownst to all of us at the time) I was being treated for vertigo by the paramedics.
The hardest thing about returning to work for me is my loyalty and cutting myself slack when I need to. I still have issues with joint and muscle pain, speech gets all messed up when I’m tired. My stroke was 25 Nov 2020. I returned to work 11th Feb 2021, out of sheer stubbornness and determination to get there.
It will take time but don’t ever stop fighting it.
Archana Sinh
My husband had a stroke about 9 years ago he experienced loss of language amongst other things
He is not back at work just yet!
his profession of choice was CA and had an MSc in Finance from LSE
He can become anything he chooses now. I tell him that world is his Oyster and he can reinvent himself
he is progressing relentlessly in regaining and recovering lost ground. We don’t know if he will get back to work
After his stroke I too had to stop working for some years to look after him and family.
For me getting back to work was stressful at many levels and took a lot of courage.
I was quite emotionally vulnerable and aware of this but couldn’t help it
I was afraid to leave him as he had next to no speech and could not use phone for some years. He also found it challenging if I went out for a while in those early years.
We were both emotionally tied to each other with insecurity. Till I actively decided to overcome fear of fear. And forced myself to leave him at home for a few hours and then more. He too regained emotional strength as he became physically stronger and a bit more self reliant
when I went back to work I was on a constant alert for any missed calls from him. I sought work near home and called him a few times a day even when he could not speak. Listening to any sound from him was reassuring. I took a fair bit of leave paid and unpaid but I never compromised on my work. And compensated by working harder when things were fine at home
My family was young
Most of my work places were understanding and I valued that and gave my best effort.
I now work full time and enjoy what I do. I feel supported in my requirement to look after my family if need arises.
While this may not be what you were looking for I would like to point out that due to stroke partners and families too can experience loss of income and reduced capacity to work
All the best in your efforts
Dianne Allison
I went back to work a month after a small cerebellum stroke on 31 May last year. I went back part and added a few hours each fortnight to worked back up to full time over 8 weeks.
I am still working from home and it’s that’s great because I don’t think I would cope if I had to add in 2 hours travel a day. Covid in that respect had been a blessing in disguise.
My employer has been supportive. I could buy extra leave. If they told us that we had to return full time in the office, I would have to cut either my days or make sure I strictly worked my normal hours. I’m well, but the fatigue is hard.
Dianne Allison
I went back to work a month after a small cerebellum stroke on 31 May last year. I went back part and added a few hours each fortnight to worked back up to full time over 8 weeks.
I am still working from home and it’s that’s great because I don’t think I would cope if I had to add in 2 hours travel a day. Covid in that respect had been a blessing in disguise.
My employer has been supportive. I could buy extra leave. If they told us that we had to return full time in the office, I would have to cut either my days or make sure I strictly worked my normal hours. I’m well, but the fatigue is hard.
Rishana Smith
My hubby returned to work 3mths after his massive ischaemic stroke (which the neuro said it should of killed him, age 45) he worked at a coal mine, the boys he worked with helped him no end, especially making him do his physio exercises using the machinery they had there. Management were awesome and couldnt of been of more help. As time went on and he got stronger he went back to his normal day n night shifts on his roster. Obviously there some things that could no longer do, as a diesel fitter, working with large mine gear, but he adjusted to what he could and everyone was happy.After he started to have stroke related seizures on Aug 1 2017, and may i say new Management (arseholes) wanted him gone but as the solicitors said they could not dismiss him as he was on his income protection thru his super, but when that ran out they made it clear they didnt want him as a staff member and cut him. Now we are on the pension. But when he went back to work, ge ended up working full time on his risters for just over 10yrs, so we were extremely lucky. Now all he wants to do is ho back to work but unfortunately he is now no longer able to do so. I know i have rambled but in essence i hope this help, good luck Michael, keep up your physio and live life to the fullest every day.
Thank you Diana and to everyone for their story and comments. I'll keep reading them as it helps to know what other people have experienced.
Dear all, thank you for sharing your stories - you have no idea how they helped me. It is so important to know that I'm not alone. Stroke, unfortunately, affects all family members! I've seen it first hand, but, I'm in a much better place now and will make the most of it. Meeting with a financial planner tomorrow and looking at my Super (type of insurance). Stroke, like other health issues, hits you out of the blue. We were all unprepared. Also, what helped me gaining a different (better) perspective on life was my wife's battle with breast cancer (2019), her Chemo and Radiation sessions. We've met so many wonderful people, full of hope and encouraging words - often, it is all one needs to go on! Stay safe and great to have this forum! Michael R.
Dear all, probably best to provide more context. I've worked for more than 10 years for one of AU's major banks before leaving in Dec 2015 to join a smaller bank in Jan 2016. In July 2016, I suffered a major stroke, spent 21 days in ICU, had to learn to walk again, my eye sight was restored and my short-term memory was gone... (still work in progress). I returned to work in Oct 2018 (the smaller bank was absorbed by another AU major bank). My problems began when the manager who knew me from before the stroke left and I had to deal with three other managers since. COVID-19 hit us all and working from home was a challenge for me (isolation, new systems, no training, etc.). Importantly, I know that many other people are worse off and I'm lucky to have a supportive family! What I feel is important for a stroke survivor is the feeling of belonging and direction how to restore life pre-stroke if possible. Take care!
I meant: 'restore life post-stroke'
I did not return to my role after my multi trauma/accident. It was a lot of driving and physical component at times, ladders, crawling around on the ground, and lots of fine motor and problem solving skills. There were no other jobs to be done as I was the area representative. I knew I had to leave. Three years later I know I could still not do the job. I just work in the family business now farming, cows don't care if I sound like a drunken sailor and even though I make some mistakes when I am fatigued still no-one has sacked me !! I can't imagine working for a regular employer as my fatigue can be up and down and I could imagine that may be hard to manage, but it is not impossible. It is still a hard pill for me to swallow, not being employable and not contributing financially to the family anymore but my husband doesn't care at all, he just says I am just glad you are alive and with us, you do heaps for all of us and the business so you are contributing. I understand and appreciate that but I am fiercely independent so it is just my own self I have to get over and accept. I am happy there are things I can do for the business otherwise I would probably go down the volunteering path for sanity. Thanks for bringing this up as it is hugely important, especially those of us who should still be working and supporting family.
Possible solution could be a framework/plan agreed by the employer/stroke survivor/occupational therapist. Step by step. Important to understand what exactly one was doing pre-stroke and look at the possibility of doing it post-stroke. A neuropsychological test would be good, and have an open/honest talk with the stroke survivor wanting to return to work. I'm a strong believer that we can recover, but each at their own pace. We need encouragement and support! The brain does recover!!! Take care