If you’ve suffered a stroke, you don’t have to be alone ..Sharon is here for you
A Renfrew woman whose life was “turned upside down” after suffering a stroke at just 49 years old is helping others who may be feeling alone and scared.
Sharon Williams was rushed to hospital in June 2018 after developing a blood clot in her neck and was devastated when doctors told her she had suffered a stroke.
The active flight attendant, who loved the gym and taught Highland dance all her adult life, was left struggling to walk due to a lack of balance and suffered intense fatigue.
But the now 51-year-old has mostly recovered and is using her experience to support other stroke survivors through the Stroke Association’s ‘Here for You’ telephone service.
Trained as a lived experience volunteer, Sharon is offering peer support to those struggling with the impact of a stroke.
She told the Express: “I couldn’t even say the word stroke when it happened.
“I just couldn’t talk about it and for the first six months I was an emotional wreck.
“I couldn’t believe it had happened to me. I was thinking how will my life change, would I still have my job, could I do the things I did before? It was a real rollercoaster of emotions.
“And I didn’t tell anyone either - my family and my managers at work knew - as I was struggling to accept it myself.”
It was only when Sharon opened up to a colleague at Loganair that she learned of the Stroke Cafe.
Run by the Stroke Association, the cafe brings survivors together once a month where they share experiences and advice.
The support from the Stroke Association has allowed Sharon to develop a new lifestyle which allows her to continue do the things she enjoys as long as she schedules plenty of rest time in her week.
She has returned to working four days a week and still supports her daughter Clare Williams at Tartan Belles Dance Studio.
Sharon added: “I decided to become a Stroke Association Here for You volunteer because I want to give something back to people who have been through a stroke and are dealing with its devastating effects.
“I remember what it was like for me, having my world turned upside down and feeling alone. So I thought there would be someone out there who could benefit from a chat and a listening ear.
“I think the Here for You service is offering a lifeline to people who need someone to talk to who can empathise with their situation.”
The Stroke Association developed the service to support survivors with the psychological effects of stroke after many told them these “unseen” problems are some of the biggest challenges they face.
People can sign up for the service at the Stroke Association website or by calling the helpline on 0303 3033 100.
I want to give something back to people who have been through a stroke