"Having a stroke and attending a positive stroke solutions group South Lanarkshire"

I am in my 50's and had a stroke sitting in my chair at home last October - no warning it just happened. My wife and daughter were thankfully home during this event and due to their quickness, I received the best care from ambulance and NHS staff .I can’t thank them enough. I have no doubt the fast actions and treatment I was given that day greatly reduced the effects of my stroke both physically and mentally.

I left hospital after 2 days which was a surprise to my family and my nurse assigned to me. I was assigned a stroke nurse and further support in the community to aid in my recovery.

If I am honest this happened all so fast and I did not fully comprehend the seriousness of my stroke. I felt ok, but I was just different - it is a very hard thing to explain. I was having that conversation with the voice in my head, asking questions like:

1.Why am I tired and fatigued

2.Why am I emotional

3.Felt I had lost a bit of confidence

4.Felt worried about meeting people

5.How my brain felt muddled

6.Frustrated

7.Grumpy

8.Angry

I really didn’t know the answers to these questions at that time.

I had a visit from Lyndsey my stroke nurse for the referral to the Positive Stroke Solutions Group at the Blantyre Life building. This involved an 8-week course focusing on the different topics/challenges that stroke survivors faced, every Tuesday for two and a half hours.

I spoke with Sarah, the stroke group coordinator, and Audrey, a peer support volunteer, and arranged to have a pre course get together to discuss the course. This made me feel very relaxed and comfortable, and set out some of the goals I was hoping to get help with during the course.

I felt a bit apprehensive the night before as you would expect. On arrival I was met with a warmth and a welcome that soon put me at ease. I met with my fellow ‘Stroke Survivors’ – this was the first time I had heard this expression, not a victim but a survivor .This expression, survivor, really had an impact on me and gave me a very positive start to the group.

The course was designed to focus on you as a person and not the condition, taking back control, and it certainly did for me. Sarah, Helen, and the peer support workers made this happen with a very relaxed manner getting the message across for the topic each week. What I particularly liked and found helpful was they gave time for survivor’s to engage and give their experiences also.

I found that all topics covered were pertinent to me and stories from fellow survivors were so helpful and inspirational, helping me find the answers I was looking for. It was nice to know I was not alone in these feeling and emotions I was experiencing. I think my favourite part of the course were the topics on stress management, relaxation, and mindfulness which I am still using to this day

I looked forward to every Tuesday and took a positive solution away with me every time. It certainly has aided in my recovery physically and mentally .

I would update my wife and daughter after every week with what I had learned. I found this was very important for me - to take my family on this journey as much as I could.

I do not have any criticisms of the course I only have a few suggestions as you review and develop the course. Spending some time on eyesight, how it can affect different survivor’s ,maybe giving advice on experiences survivors have had explaining their own personnel issues and conditions, eyesight had a massive impact on our group. I would have also found it beneficial if at some point a family member could come along to experience the group, joining in on the course and listen to some of the survivors ,giving them a better understanding and knowledge of what survivors are experiencing.

I would like to massively thank all positive stroke solutions group staff for warmth, support, and kindness during the 8 weeks that you have given to me.

I have certainly made new friends in my fellow stroke survivors and look forward to meeting up with them on a regular basis for a chat.

This has been my story/journey but it has also been my families as well and I thank them for being there with their patience, support, and love.

Stay Positive Survivors,