John Stewart from Donacloney had been retired from his career as an IT Systems Architect for 2 years when he had a stroke on the 16th of November 2022, aged 69.
John says, “I had washed the dog earlier that day and used anti-parasite shampoo. Afterwards, I started feeling strange and off-balance, and thought it was a result of the shampoo. I sat down to watch TV for a while, but by six o’clock I had to stop as it was out of focus. I told my wife Geraldine I was going to bed. At 9pm I was up and threw up, then went back to bed. Around 1am my wife came to bed, and I had to move to give her space to get in. I lifted my leg, but it was heavy. I raised hand to my head, and it was also heavy. My ear and my scalp felt numb. That was when I realised, we need to go to hospital.”
Following his stroke, John lost power in his hand and foot, but has returned to having reasonable movement in both. “I can walk reasonably well but not for long distances as I get very fatigued. I get up in the morning and get dressed and I’m knackered and feel like I could go back to bed!” He also suffered Autonomic Nerve Damage as a result of his stroke. “I tend to get hiccups, itches, yawns, and I can’t stop. It can go for about 10 or 15 minutes, then I get relief for a couple of days, but then it starts again.”
“I’m not confident enough to walk without the stick as my balance is not the best, but PREP has been brilliant. Rita the physiotherapist at the group has been getting me to walk backwards and turn to improve my balance, and she and the other NICHS staff are there to make sure I don’t fall. It really has helped my confidence.”
The charity also fund research in local universities in Northern Ireland to work to find new and improved ways to treat, care for and prevent chest, heart and stroke illnesses. John says, “I’ve also taken part in a research study by Ulster University which is funded by NI Chest Heart and Stroke called Grasp. This involved trying out a new programme of physio exercises alongside our usual PREP to strengthen your arms and limbs. It’s been very beneficial to my feet, posture and my shoulders which can be very stiff.”
The social aspect of the group was also a lifeline for John. “When I came out of hospital, I was completely housebound. Meeting other people and hearing how others have gotten around their problems is invaluable. I don’t think anyone has a bad thing to say about the group.”
