In 2003, aged 41, I was a busy lady with a hectic life with my partner and a working as a supervisor in a busy call Centre for Churchill Insurance. I enjoyed walking, badminton and socialising. Then disaster struck - I woke up in hospital attached to monitors and tubes. I couldn't speak, had to be tube fed and couldn't move the left side of my body. I had become one of the increasing number of younger people who had suffered a major stroke. I knew what I wanted to say but had no way of expressing myself- it was so frustrating! I was in rehabilitation in Dr Shakespeare's unit in Preston for two years but made little progress.
I came to live at Cuerden Hall in 2005. I could barely say 'yes' and 'no', was still being tube fed and the future seemed very bleak. I was very depressed and thought that my life was over. I was very independent before and hated the fact that I could do hardly anything for myself.
Ten years later, I could actually walk! My speech had returned after a lot of hard work, but I still suffer from aphasia (words get muddled up in my head) which sometimes makes it difficult for strangers to understand me.
I have a social life again, I enjoy going out for meals with friends and I enjoy going to musicals. Photography is one of my main pastimes and I enjoy using computers and social media.
In March 2016, I finally moved out of Cuerden Hall into my own apartment at The Grange, in Buckshaw Village. I’m really enjoying being independent again after so long relying on other people. I take full advantage of the activities here which are on offer seven days a week, I particularly enjoy playing on the Wii and carpet bowls. It’s also great to know that when I want to be quiet I can shut my door and no-one will disturb me unless I want them to.
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