Emily Male

I'm taking part in the Stride for Stroke challenge!

I joined #TeamStroke for Stride for Stroke. I will be taking one step for each of the 1.3 million stroke survivors in the UK. The 1.3 million steps challenge works out at 10,000 steps a day for 130 days.

My dad suffered several large strokes last year, in combination with a vasculitis diagnosis at the age of 68. His life has been massively changed as a result. Unfortunately a proper diagnosis wasn’t made until further down the line causing him to experience further strokes in that timeframe. We have experienced first hand the pressures the NHS are under at the moment. 

My dad is a retired Geography teacher who lived on his own. He is now unable to walk at all, can hardly use his right arm, left arm affected too, his speech is affected, and he requires the use of a permanent peg feed to supplement his diet. He is also very at risk of infection and sepsis, due  to a compromised immune system. 

He is surrounded by loving family and a great partner who moved in with him to be his full time carer. On top of this, carers visit 4 times a day. 

We stay as positive as possible for dad, and are determined to give him the best quality of life. He now has a disability car that we can take him out in, a ceiling hoist and a tilting space wheel chair, all of which make taking him out and about a lot easier

We are all trying to think of and find ways to engage him and keep him positive, which can be a challenge. 

But as all families and people affected by stroke will know, it’s a constant journey and is very up and down. You have good days, and you have  bad days. 

As such,  this cause means a lot to me, and I am keen to do my bit to spread awareness and raise some money for Stroke  Association.  

Stroke Association is here to support people to rebuild their lives after stroke. We believe everyone deserves to live the best life they can after stroke, so we work with the stroke community to make sure people affected by stroke get the very best care and support. We rely on your support to provide vital services, campaign for better stroke care and fund research into preventative and rehabilitative treatments.