Wendy's story

My name is Wendy and I suffered a haemorrhage stroke in 2021. This was during Covid times and I had very little help as the physio department was closed and they were only two physiotherapists available to look after 4 wards of neuro patients including those with a diagnosis of a stroke. After 3 months in the ward, I left the Hospital with advice to contact the physiotherapist and rehabilitation – the nearest rehabilitation centre to my home village. I was told there would be a cost for this service as nothing was available on the NHS. Several sessions cost me £5,000, after which we sought a private physio who charged £60per hour.

These were difficult times for myself and my husband who at 80 years found himself taking on the role of full-time carer. At this time, I had not heard of the Brain foundation as no leaflets had been given to me. We applied for financial help as our savings were dwindling while paying for all my care.

North Somerset Council were helpful when I phoned them to find out what was available. They put me in touch with a lady who came to see me and gave advice in filling out this 60+ page of questions, I wouldn’t have been able to get the attendance allowance had I not made that initial call. This was such a scary place to be! Only a few months before this all happened, I was counselling patients and assisting the Chaplain at our local Hospice, fit and healthy going to our local Gym. Also, I worked part time at my private counselling practice, was an Elder at my Church and pastoral advisor.

All my friends were in shock. The stroke left me unable to walk unaided, my left leg was like a heavy weight I was dragging around, my left arm was useless and painful. My life had ended -so I thought, until – the lovely lady from North Somerset council told me about a stroke group in a nearby small town. I was in complete denial, still feeling young at heart and not wanting to go to some stroke group full of old people! How wrong and ashamed I felt when I took up the courage to go. I shed a few tears before I went and shed tears of happiness when I got home.

What a lovely group of friendly supportive males and females aged from 30 -80. They were all smiling and welcoming. From here, I was introduced to the Brain and Spine foundation Neuro Creatives online group and never looked back.

There was hope for me. I loved art and had my own studio but gave up trying to paint as one handed seemed impossible to do.

“Would you like to try our art group?” said lovely Sarah during coffee. I couldn’t believe there was this life beyond stroke. Zoom groups were everywhere while Covid was around, my husband had a philosophy group, now I was to be a member of the B&SF Neuro Creatives art group on Zoom. Hooray my new life was starting.

I asked the question “How much will this cost me?”
“Nothing, just have pens, pencils, workbook or any art materials you have available at home” Sarah replied.

After paying thousands for my physiotherapy, I couldn’t believe this was free. I knew the money had to be coming from somewhere, so I researched Brain and Spine Foundation. I am a Christian and part of being a Christian is to give part of your income to charities.

This Charity helps so many people lead their lives with these awful difficulties. I’ve gone from despair to hope and realise you’re not alone. I have so much to look forward to, friends tell me I’m an inspiration, I got my inspiration from all my new stroke friends. We go out for meals together. Done individual fundraising, simple things like make Birthdays, a fundraising event- not ready fora tandem jump from a plane but could encourage someone to do this for me!