Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I had to learn to walk & talk after stroke aged 19 86%
Niall tells how he’s rebuilt his life after horror
of stroke survivors believe they will never return to full health
A MAN who suffered a stroke aged just 19 has told how he had to learn to walk and talk again.
Niall Woods was left in a coma for six months but says he had to believe he could get better before he did.
He spoke out as The Stroke Association published research which found 88% of survivors are “afraid they won’t get better” while 80% fear they will be sent to a care home. Niall, 29, from South Belfast, said: “When I had my stroke people thought I wouldn’t walk again.
“Since then I’ve worked hard on my recovery by getting involved in activities such as going to the gym and swimming.
“The team from the Stroke Association helped me to focus on my goals. When I left hospital the most important thing to me was to get back on my feet and walking again. I remember back at the start wanting to drive so badly as I saw it as freedom and so I’m really proud I passed my driving test seven years ago.
“It made a massive difference. I’m now able to get out independently.
“I’m now volunteering once a week at the Stroke Association office in Belfast. It makes me feel normal again and I need to get my confidence back within a workplace. It feels like a job and it’s nice to get out of the house.”
Stroke Association chief executive Juliet Bouverie said: “It takes a team to rebuild lives after stroke. When stroke strikes, part of your brain shuts down, and so does a part of you.
“Recovery is tough, but with the right specialist support, the brain can adapt after stroke.
“The first step to eliminating fear is to ask for help and support. If you are a stroke survivor, this could mean speaking to your doctor or social worker to get some answers.”