Seven years ago, my life changed forever when I had a stroke. Recovery was not just about learning to walk or talk again—it was about rebuilding my confidence, my independence and my everyday life. This website was created because I know how difficult that journey can be, and I want to help others who are facing similar challenges.
The Early Days
The first weeks and months after my stroke were full of uncertainty. I had to adjust to a different way of living and discover new ways to complete everyday tasks. Some days were difficult, but every small step forward mattered.
The first few days of being in hospital was full of questions on my part and trying to tell myself everything is fine and I will be back to work soon. I kept saying to myself only a few days, I did not realise it will be a start of a completely new life. I was told that I had a bleed on my brain and I am paralysed on my dominant side too to bottom. I was given simple tasks just to see I can hear, remember, see properly. I was sent to a rehab unit that will be my home for the next for months and I still remember them after seven years.
My first few days was very challenging as I am coming to grasp with my life of someone helping me get out the bed, putting me on a wheelchair taking me to a bathroom and helping me there too. For someone who had just been abroad flying across continents the previous months to be going through this was a colossal despair and struggle.
I had my physiotherapists and occupational therapist helping me trying to gain some movements to see if there are any shoots to recovery. There were some good days where I felt I saw my little finger moving to days of disappointment where the same finger was not showing anymore movement. I was told it is and always be how many repetitions I can do. I was told that I need determination and setting realistic goal setting. There will not be a sudden moment where I will get up and start walking by myself like before.
I made some good friends that I am still friends with and we remember where we came from and the journey we had. I still remember seeing people in adjacent beds being sent home and just wondered when it will be my turn.
After four months when it was time to go home my wife my 100% supporter in my life who was there without fail everyday in the Rehab Unit to fight my corner even when a Psychologist told us we should be ready for the eventuality, came to get me and take me home. She had arranged everything there needed to be there even if I could not enter my house through the front door.
The early days and months were scary and I was very nervous about everything like falling down, going to bathroom, holding every corner of the house, keep checking my blood pressure every 8 hours, the anxiety was written all over me. My wife helped me as well as my physiotherapist who pushed me into places where I was initially very hesitant.
I went to National Hospital for Neurology on a course to help with my Upper Limb deficiencies and learnt a lot more from meeting people similar to how I was. Some were already far in their process and some like me at the start. I have learnt that it is important that I need to go on pushing boundaries.
What I Have Learned
Over the years, I have learned that independence does not mean doing everything alone. It means finding the right tools, support and confidence to live life as fully as possible. That is the reason I created Accessible Living UK.
I have learned that every stroke survivor is different to you and the quicker you adjust to that the better you will succeed. If you have a partner with you appreciate their help as doing everything by yourself is very challenging. Try not to close yourself to everyone else. I have learned so much from others even if it was just by observing. A simple example was was when we were filling fuel I saw a gentleman with no functioning legs driving a car. This led me to believe one day I could drive. And eventually recently I achieved that goal. I have learned to go on planes to a far away destination by myself without anyone, I was nervous, went through checklist after checklist but I did that through talking to others who had been through similar experiences.
My Message to Others
If you are living with a disability, recovering from a stroke or supporting someone you care about, I hope this website gives you practical advice, encouragement and the confidence to keep moving forward. You are not alone, and small steps really do add up over time.