Angharad Dennis, from Swansea, never imagined that she would have a stroke at 31. Although she knew the signs of a stroke and her grandmother had experienced them, having migraines had made her wonder whether she might be at greater risk. Her stroke has impacted her daily life, and her young daughter now has to help her with tasks such as putting on her socks.
Ms Dennis has found support from the Stroke Association, where she has talked to others who have experienced similar situations. The charity’s research suggests that talking to others affected by a stroke was the single most important part of survivors’ recovery. Dave Jones, a peer support coordinator for the Stroke Association, was able to give Ms Dennis inspiration as he had a stroke six months after becoming a father seven years ago.
About one in five people have a stroke every year in the UK, according to the charity Stroke Association. While more than 88,000 people survive these each year, half of stroke survivors feel depressed during the recovery, with 14% experiencing suicidal thoughts. The charity’s research indicates that survivors need long-term support, with the community being an important source of recovery.
Ms Dennis says that despite the challenges, her stroke changed her perspective on life. She realized that spending time with her daughter was a priority, rather than earning money and providing the best Christmases and holidays. She now engages more with her daughter and eagerly awaits her return from school.
Ms Dennis is not alone in navigating the daily struggles after surviving a stroke. Although stroke services are struggling due to a lack of capacity, there are government plans in Wales to reconfigure stroke services. If people can access what they need at the right time, outcomes can be considerably improved
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
