Popular councillor fights back
Steve Wills is determined to get back to work, and a spin class, after suffering a stroke on Friday.
Speaking from Timaru Hospital on Monday, the newly reelected Timaru District councillor, 55, said he was ‘‘very fortunate’’ that at the time of the lifechanging medical event there were specialists available and he could get the right help.
He was rushed to hospital after he fell ill during the spin class his wife Mandy Wills was instructing at Timaru’s CBay gymnasium.
The following day, on Saturday, he was re-elected for his third term as a Timaru District councillor – the second highest polling candidate in the 2019 election with 7279 votes.
Early reports stated two doctors in the class at the time administered him oxygen and got him to Timaru Hospital.
On Monday, Steve told Stuff two nurses participating in the class also came to his aid.
Mandy said time was critical in terms of her husband getting the medication he needed. ‘‘If he had been at home it would have been a totally different story. The key is it is time sensitive.
‘‘If you get to the hospital on time, they can give you medication which breaks down the clot.’’ The clot was on the right side of Steve’s body, she said.
‘‘He was initially paralysed on the left hand side of his body.
‘‘He has to make some lifestyle changes, it does mean slowing down.’’ Mandy Wills
‘‘When he got into hospital they administered medication and very shortly it broke down the clot.’’
Mandy said her husband was still ‘‘very nauseous’’ but making good progress. ‘‘He has full strength in his left leg and arm now. We feel really positive that he is going to make a good recovery.’’
Mandy said her husband would have to make lifestyle changes, despite his protests.
‘‘He has to make some lifestyle changes, it does mean slowing down. He has to listen now.’’
However, Steve said he was ‘‘determined to carry on doing stuff’’.
‘‘At the end of the day there is
adversity and you can’t allow these road blocks,’’ he said.
‘‘You’ve got to do things in life that make you feel alive.’’
He listed a nasty mountain bike accident he had two years ago as a reference.
It came as a revelation and after 25 years in the police force, it was time for a change.
‘‘The wheels still spin, but a bit slower,’’ he said.
Steve said the community’s ‘‘incredible support’’ had given him comfort.
The cause of the stroke is yet to be determined, he said.
‘‘This type of stroke is happening to so many more people at younger ages.
‘‘I’ve actually asked ‘why?’, it’s a million dollar question, and they don’t know why.
‘‘From a family perspective we are very grateful with an amazing amount of support and love.’’
He thanked the South Canterbury District Health Board. ‘‘They do an incredible job, from specialists to nurses.’’
For now Steve said he couldn’t wait to get back to work and ‘‘start living life as normal’’ as ‘‘there are pretty awesome things ahead’’.
‘‘I’m desperate to get back to my job at PrimePort, I work with some pretty good people.
‘‘I’m also looking forward to getting back to my spin class.’’
In the 2019 local body election Steve was only beaten by new Timaru District mayor Nigel Bowen, who secured 8893 votes for councillor in the Timaru ward. After winning the mayoralty, Bowen was withdrawn from the councillor nominations.
Steve was the highest polling candidate in the 2013 and 2016 elections.