Becky

I had my stroke in May 2013 a bleed caused by high blood pressure. I didn't know it at the time but I nearly didn't survive the night but I proved them wrong which I still continue to do.

Initially I was totally paralysed on the left hand side had to learn to sit and stand again every morning in a standing frame. When I left hospital, after four months, I was able to take a couple of steps with a stick but used a wheelchair for the first few months.

I applied for PIP which took nine months to sort out before they made a decision. So there I was newly disabled relying on food parcels I couldn't do anything, had nothing, no point in living. 

I found the number for Different Strokes through their website spent an hour talking to person from DS. Then they added me to the Facebook group and without the help and support on there I don't think I would have coped. I have made so many friends and have met quite a few fellow stroke survivors (including my partner). My ex couldn't cope with what the stroke had done to me after many vicious arguments we split with me having to find somewhere else to live. I now live in supported housing in a lovely adapted cottage. 

I'm practically fully independent I have no feeling in my left hand, walk with a limp and foot drop, have memory problems, anxiety and seizures but although it's a bit dysfunctional I've accepted the new normal even though it's a bit crap at times. I never let my stroke stop me from trying new things no matter how dangerous and scary. I recently did Europe's longest zip wire a mile over Penrhyn quarry and raised money for the British heart foundation. I loves me castles and despite a few dark days (my Different Strokes friends cheer me up) my life is probably better than before my stroke it's been a long journey a lot of hard painful and repetitive work.