How one ‘Saxy Lady’ beat odds
LYNETTE Gordon-Smith was told she may never be able to play her saxophone again after she suffered a stroke last year.
But 12 months on, and with plenty of determination, the 67-year-old Allora “Saxy Lady” is back doing what she loves best.
Mrs Gordon-Smith, who has been playing since she was 13, said she couldn’t imagine her life without music so she was desperate to prove the doctors wrong.
“I was devastated when I had the stroke. I spent five months in hospital and had to re-learn to swallow, talk, walk and use my hand,” Mrs Gordon-Smith said.
“But I was committed to my rehabilitation and would do extra work on my own.
“It has been painful at times and I’ve wanted to yell and scream out of frustration, but it has been worth it.
“When I played again for the first time it felt like someone had handed me a winning lotto ticket.”
Mrs Gordon-Smith experienced one of 56,000 strokes in Australia during 2017.
“I was one of the lucky ones. My husband Chris recognised the signs of stroke instantly when I couldn’t move my right side,” she said.
“He called for an ambulance and I was able to access treatment quickly as a result. Many others were not so fortunate.” Stroke Foundation Queensland State Manager Andrea Sanders said stroke was largely preventable, treatable and could be beaten.