Stroke 12 weeks ago Today

Hi Everyone,

I went back to Work 4 weeks after IT happened. I had an Ischaemic stroke with evidence of a previous Haemorrhagic stroke on the MRI.

Pretty bloody scary!!

I went back to my workplace and had a high level meeting with my boss and my boss's boss. Was I ready to come back? In what capacity could I come back?

IT(the stroke) had left me with balance issues and muscle weakness in my LH arm and leg. I was very fortunate that these stroke side-effects had cleared-up before the above meeting.

My GP had just provided a return-to-work certificate which explained that I was fit for Work, but that I may find that I have exhaustion and concentration Issues.

The other issue that I had to face was that the RTA had Taken-Away my Driver's License after the Stroke.

My Place-of-Work is a 10 Minute drive from Home and a previous Condition-of-Employment was that I had to have a Current Driver's Licence.

OK, how valuable an Employee was I still?

My Step-Son, Lachlan, had offered to take me to Work and Back every Work Day until I could get My Licence back, which I was told could take Weeks, if not Months.

OK, My Bosses valued Me enough that they "Waived" the "Current License" Condition so that I could Return to Work.

I was moved to being in more of a "Teaching" role of a New Employee who just happened to be "Starting" the Same Day that I came back to work.

I suppose I should explain MY "Normal" role at Work?

I fit Accessories to New Cars before they are delivered to their New Owners. I have been employed in this role for the last Six Years and have been with my Employer for 16 years now. I completed an Adult Motor Mechanic Apprenticeship within the first 5 years.

So I've been back at Work now for 8 Weeks, with No Fatigue or Concentration Issues and I actually got my Driver's Licence back two Weeks ago.

Gotta Go now, Nick H.