Support groups – gateway to new friendships for Peter

Even though young people can suffer strokes, it’s a problem far more common in older people. Here, from the Stroke Association speaks to one pensioner who’s made a remarkable recovery from the condition

Most strokes happen when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Blood clots usually form in areas where our arteries have become narrowed or “furred” up by fatty deposits.

Our arteries naturally become harder and narrower throughout our lifetime.

This increases the risk of them becoming blocked and causing a stroke.

However, there are other factors that can speed up this process, or make our blood more likely to clot.

Some we can change, others we can’t. One risk factor we cannot change is our age.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the average age for men to have a stroke is 74 and the average age for women to have a stroke is 80

In Scotland the average age for men to have a stroke is 71 and the average age for women to have a stroke is 76

Around a quarter of strokes happen in people of working age

The average age of stroke has decreased in recent years

People are most likely to have a stroke over the age of 55

Peter Smith, 71, was a service manager for a towbar fitting company when he had two strokes in 2008.

He said: “I suddenly found I couldn’t swallow and I felt a pain in my arm.

“Panic set in, as I thought I was having a heart attack but when I arrived in hospital I was told that it had been a minor stroke and soon after that I had another, which was a lot worse.”

He was in hospital for a day and a night before being taken to a stroke ward and then spent 11 weeks in hospital.

“At the time of my stroke my youngest son, Mike, was in Iraq and was sent straight home to be with his mum, Christine, because they didn’t think I was going to survive.

“It meant so much to Chris that he was able to be there until I was out of danger. I was told I stopped breathing and they had to revive me.”

Peter, who lives in Newport, was in intensive care for more than a week.

“I remember having incredibly vivid dreams because of the medication I was on and then my family found out I had pneumonia and had to move ward.”

His recovery story became more and more unique, as his ability to swallow didn’t return after his very first stroke symptoms began.

It is common for a stroke survivor’s swallow to be affected but it often improves with time. “I can no longer eat solid food, or drink liquids, after the stroke but I count myself lucky,” he added.

“I have a hole near my belly button through which I have to feed myself liquids.

“I received just half an hour of training from a nurse on how to peg feed myself. People forget, because apart from that it’s not immediately obvious I’ve had a stroke.”

Despite this huge change to his way of life Peter worked hard on the rest of his recovery and improved greatly.

“I worked on my distance by going around the wards with a walking frame. When I was strong enough I’d go and find some stairs to practice on.”

Doctors revealed that Peter’s body contained a cluster of abnormal blood vessels, mainly found in the brain and spinal cord, and he had to have major surgery to fix the bleed at the base of his brain.

Peter wasn’t able to return to work, which was a huge blow, and his wife Christine became his carer.

He still had a weakness down the left side of his body, and still does today, despite mobility being a lot stronger.

“I also can’t feel hot and cold, which can be very dangerous if I’m in the kitchen around the stove.

“My balance has been affected as well and it was explained to me as a ‘missing connection’ in my brain, so it won’t come back.

“After the stroke I really missed playing football with my grandson, as the motion of kicking the ball would completely throw off my balance.

“I can walk around at home and at my stroke group fine but need a walking his mobility has stick in town when it’s busy, as noise and lots of movement can be overwhelming for me.”

After searching on the internet Peter found the Stroke Association and that the charity had local groups in his area.

Peter not only signed up to join the groups but also became a volunteer of the groups in Newport and is the leader of the Cwmbran Stroke Support Group.

He is also a member of the Strike a Chord stroke choir, which began as a project of the Stroke Association to support survivors who have difficulty speaking.

“I get a lot out of being part of the groups. I was relieved to find the Casnewydd Stroke Group because it gives survivors an opportunity to share their experiences and be around others who have a better understanding of what they’ve been through.

“I make sure to use my experience to reassure members that it can get better.

“Support groups are an important part of life after stroke. After a stroke many people feel vulnerable and can become isolated, especially with communication issues.

“The groups offer a safe environment to people to allow them to rebuild their confidence. It can be a gateway to new friendships and developing different ways of socialising.”

To find out more about stroke or the Stroke Association’s work in Wales visit stroke.org.uk or call the helpline on 0303 3033 100.