ALL ABOUT STROKE
Hi, my name is Zoe and I made this web page for all who have been affected by stroke. It could be yourself or someone you know, but whichever, the effects can be devastating.
My mother had three strokes all in the space of eight days. This happened almost five years ago. She had two minor ones and then a major one on the eighth day. When I saw her on that day in the hospital I was shell shocked to say the least. I never knew much about stroke and had to learn fast. She could'nt speak or move. The second stoke had affected her right side and the third her left side, so she could'nt move at all. It was strange but I could understand what she was trying to tell the doctors although nobody else could. She spent a total of seven months in hospital, undergoing intense speech therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. She had to learn to dress herself again, feed herself, and walk. The stroke affected her swallowing so it was quite some time before she could eat solids, even then she could only soft foods for a long time. Apart from the physical changes that were obvious, it was the emotional and mental changes that were the hardest for me to come to terms with. It was like someone had taken my mother away and put someone else in her place. She was like having a 54 year old baby to look after. It was so hard, and at times I did'nt know wether I was coming or going as I had a family of my own to care for aswell.
The emotional difficulties she had, and still does to an extent were that she hated anyone going to see her and not devoting all their attention on her alone. She would throw things and cry. She would swear and shout. It could be very embarrassing. But I gradually grew to understand the effect stoke had on people.
I have got to say that my mother handled the physical disabilities extremely well. I doubt that I would have been as strong as her.
I read up alot on stokes. How they happen, diffrences in individual strokes, and the effects on both the patient and the family. There is alot of help out there, but unfortunatley it was our experience that we had to go out and look for it. Nobody actually told us anything about what after care there could be, or what benefits my mother could apply for. We had to find all this out ourselves. Also the staff on the stroke unit where she had been for seven months were not that helpful either. She needed a commode for night time use when she got home, but the staff said she did'nt need one and could manage quite well walking to the bathroom during the night. However, after being home for just three days she fell during the night while trying to get to the toilet and broke her femur. She was taken back into hospital and had to have a rod placed through the femur bone. She spent another eight months in hospital and now cannot walk at all.
I have made this website to show that stoke can be devasting to all involved, not just the patient. But it dose'nt have to be the end of the world either.
My mother now has a very good social life because of the groups and facilities we have found out about. She is learning to use a computer and spends alot of time on the internet. She also attends an art and craft group and makes her own birthday cards etc which she also sells to people at the groups she attends.
It was a very difficult couple of years, but even though she is now confined to a wheelchair, she still manages to get out alot.
She recieves care in her home three times daily, well she does when the office dose'nt make a mess of the rotas. She has someone to bathe her three or four times a week and she has help with the major household tasks, ie: cleaning windows etc. She is an inspiration to anyone who has suffered from stroke.
Basically, if you have had a stoke or know someone who has, find out about all the possible benefits available, all the diffrent groups in your area for the disabled, and always ask for any information you need, even if you have to shout and scream yourself to get the answers.
BENEFITS AVAILABLE:
Disability living allowance.
Incapacity benefit.
Mobility allowance.
Free prescriptiona.
Free dental care.
Social fund grant....for anyone who needs rehousing after release from hospital.
GROUPS:
Stroke awareness groups.
Living with disabilities groups.
Neurological groups.
Also there are several hotels and holiday centers that cater for the disabled.
Always telephone ahead to places like pubs, restaurants etc to check if they have disabled access and disabled toilets for wheelchair users. Some may say "yes we do" but peoples views on what is suitable for wheelchairs differs greatly. Not all disabled toilets are big enough to take a wheelchair and to be able to close the door.
STROKE IS NOT NESSESARILY THE END OF A DECENT STANDARD OF LIVING.
Thankyou for visiting my website. I hope it brings a little advise,hope and comfort to anyone who needs it.
Free Webpages at Webspawner.com
National stroke association
American heart association
National institute of neurological disorders and stroke
Stroke association
Benefits now
Send E-Mail to: yorkshire_zoe@yahoo.co.uk
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Copyright © 2004 Zoe Naylor. All Rights Reserved