I am a Stroke Survivor,  NOT a Victim. 

“A Stroke is a Life Changing Experience and it’s quite frightening. “

~ William M McCormick

The Stroke

I was 46 years old when I experienced a stroke.  I was sat at work, it was a normal day and about 10 o’clock in the morning, 

I felt a strange “pins and needles” sensation in my right arm which then spread down my right leg and into my foot. My thought was ‘this must be cramp’. I stood up and almost passed out, and then realised that something was definitely wrong!  

I made an appointment with my GP, who immediately sent me to hospital, where a CT Scan revealed that I had experienced a Cerebrovascular Accident (in other words a ‘Stroke’). 

The Impact

This affected the left side of my brain and that in turn affected my right limbs. Leaving me with no feeling in my right arm and unable to use my right leg properly. 

The hospital consultant told me that I was fortunate as I had recovered from the stroke almost immediately, but it had left the right side of my body impaired. 

My first thought was “Will I ever recover?” 

The care from everyone in the hospital was fantastic and after a short while I was well enough to be discharged from hospital to recuperate at home. 

Depression

It was only then that the enormity of what happened to me hit me and depression kicked in. 

I didn’t want to leave the house and felt that the bottom had dropped out of my world. 

I had been studying for a University Degree at the time of my stroke and I wondered if I’d ever be well enough to finish it?  

The Recovery

Fortunately, my wife Alison realised what my problem was and set about encouraging me to get back on track. 

She would set me small tasks – for example, as she was leaving home for work, Alison would say “I’ve left the breakfast pots, would you wash them up?” or “There is some ironing that needs doing. Can you do it for me?”

Alison would also encourage me to take a walk to the newsagents to buy the morning paper and that got me out of doors again.

Dr Shearer was also very encouraging and enrolled me in a course from the ‘Exercise on Prescription Scheme’.  

I wasn’t sure at first, but when I found out that everyone who completed the scheme received a T-shirt I was determined to get that T-shirt. 

Completing the course boosted my morale no end, especially when the exercises helped get my affected limbs working again.

I’m so grateful for the  gentle but determined encouragement from Alison, Dr Shearer and the Trainers at the Fitness Centre. They helped lift me out of depression and  get my life back.

I do consider myself one of the lucky ones. I survived the stroke, made a full recovery and have regained full use of my limbs. 

This is the secret I learned to recovering from a stroke:

“Do small things first, don’t over do it and gradually build up to bigger things.”

~William M McCormick

When people ask me about my stroke I always say  “You CAN recover from a stroke.”

W.M.McCormick B.A.(Hons) Diploma in European Humanities.

(As you can see I did get my University Degree!)