Carl’s story
‘I didn’t see myself as someone who would have a stroke. Then, bang! Just like that. Life changed.’
It happened on a quiet Sunday morning. Carl, a 58-year-old postman, was cycling through the countryside. But just four miles from home, his arm went numb.
‘I’d just got up this hill and felt really good. But without warning, my arm started feeling weak. It was like somebody had turned the power off. My left leg wouldn’t work either. I got my phone out with my right hand to call my wife. But I’m left-handed and couldn’t open it.
I remember thinking, ‘this isn’t good, what am I going to do?’ That was when I realised it could be a stroke’
Fortunately, another cyclist found Carl lying in the grass and phoned for an ambulance. Carl was admitted to A&E where he received a clot-busting treatment called thrombolysis, just in time.
After a week on the acute stroke unit Carl spent ten more weeks in hospital for rehabilitation. It’s here he began the long laborious process of relearning how to walk and do basic everyday tasks.
Play the Christmas Superdraw to support stroke survivors like Carl.
‘When I was discharged, I remember sitting in my kitchen and crying, feeling like my world was falling apart. But then the stroke nurse put us in touch with a Stroke Support Coordinator from the Stroke Association called Sharon.
Sharon was amazing. She explained all the help I was entitled to. She sorted out a driving assessment which led to an automatic car and Blue Badge. She also linked me to a benefits advisor when my employer stopped paying me. Without her, I simply wouldn’t have known what to do.’
Though the journey’s been a winding, uphill road, Carl has recently been able to get back on his bike.
‘I’m slowly getting my life back, thanks to all of the support along the way. The Stroke Association is 10/10 important. Their support is such a good thing. It’s given me hope’
Play our Christmas Superdraw now. Every ticket you buy helps support stroke survivors and their families. Thank you so much and good luck!
Play now