New fitness regime gives back control to stroke victim, 22

‘The programmes has improved my ability to have a normal life and do things people take for granted’

A young stroke victim who was left partially paralysed is continuing her road to recovery with the help of a new fitness regime.

Lizzie Ashmore was just 20 when she suffered the episode in her sleep and woke to find she had lost all movement down her left side.

The student, who was studying at the University of Creative Arts in Canterbury at the time, spent three months in hospital recovering but was left disabled.

Now, two years later, she is benefiting from a special Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust programme designed to help people to recover from injury or illness.

Lizzie, who lives with fiance Liam in Pardoner Close, Canterbury, said: “I was a normal 20-year-old girl who went clubbing and enjoyed a drink and probably had high cholesterol and blood pressure. But the stroke was a massive life-changing experience.”

A stroke results from the blockage of a blood vessel to the brain, but it is thought Lizzie’s may have been caused by nephritic syndrome, which means her kidneys leak protein and was a condition she was born with.

Recently she decided she wanted to try to exercise as part of her stroke recovery, so asked her GP about the NHS exercise referral programme.

As part of the scheme, Lizzie receives discount membership for the King’s School Recreation Centre in Canterbury and a personal 12-week exercise plan designed by experts in stroke rehabilitation.

She said: “The programme has improved my ability to have a normal life. I’m back at uni finishing my degree and go to the gym, things that people take for granted, but I wouldn’t have been able to do that until recently.

“I’m much less tired than I used to be. I’m still disabled, I need a splint to walk and I can’t use my left hand, but I feel like I’ve taken back control.”

King’s exercise referral manager Debbie Ferrett said: “Lizzie was very cautious to start with but it’s been lovely to see her confidence build.

“People recovering from stroke can suffer from fatigue, so along with helping to rehabilitate the affected areas, the exercise is also about training their body to work more efficiently and increase stamina.”

To find out more about the programme, visit kenthealthandwellbeing.nhs.uk or call 0300 1231220.