The Life and Times of Alwyn James
My name is Alwyn. I had a stroke nine years ago when I was 55 years old.
For 28 years I was a schoolmaster; for 4 years at Allhallows School and latterly 24 years at Glenalmond College where I taught Classics.
I studied for my degree at Exeter College, Oxford University. I had originally joined Oxford to study theology (following in my father's footsteps) but I didn't enjoy this. I then went to St. David's, Lampeter in Wales to obtain a degree in Classics then returned to Oxford for my Diploma in Education.
My father was very musical so I learned piano at a very young age and was very interested in music and singing which was part of family life. In 1956 I heard my first "Blues" tune by "Howlin' Wolf", and fell in love with it!! I joined a band and played the Blues as a hobby. In 1990 I joined a Blues band called "Jelly Roll". I enjoyed performing very much and eventually decided to give up teaching and "turned professional" in 1992. A year later I set up my own band called "Roll Wyn James" with my friend Kevin Smith (drummer).
The band was extremely popular and therefore very busy, we played gigs all over Britain and France.
At Christmastime 1994, we were exceptionally busy and I remember being very tired. We had three days holiday and on the last of the break on January 9th 1995 I had a stroke.
Life was much changed… I was unable to follow my career, no longer able to walk, talk, drive my car, use my right hand……BANG! NONE OF IT.
My son and daughter Rupert and Rhiannon were marvellous and visited me every single day of the eight months that I was in hospital in Perth. Then Jane, Rupert's fiancee, put me in touch with a Consultant and I spent six months at Astley Ainsley hospital in Edinburgh where I continued to make a good recovery. I owe my family a lot for their unstinting support and encouragement.
Gradually, I began to overcome the physical disabilities and adapt to these. However, my communication difficulties continued to present problems of the most basic kind. My brain and my mouth no longer seemed to be on speaking terms!!!! I have difficulty in finding the right words. If someone asked if - "Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" - I would say "NO" when I meant "Yes" - the results of this can be amusing or cause distress. I sometimes have trouble understanding what others say to me. Conversations can become confused or misinterpreted as my speech can be difficult to understand. To overcome this I try hard to think of another work or some other way to convey my meaning, perhaps gesture, writing it down, drawing, using may facial expressions.
For almost 5 years now I have been studying music again at the Mackinnon Centre and have relearned to manage a keyboard with my left hand. I am back composing and recording a range of music. This makes me feel very good because, when people hear it, they usually compliment it. I didn't think I'd be playing music again and it has boosted my confidence enormously to realise what I am still able to produce.
I was so encouraged by participating the Music Group that I decided to join the Communications Group also. This group has helped me improve my speech, allowed me to share experiences with other people is similar circumstances, boosted my morale and self-esteem, and has helped me to cope with daily situations. I enjoy and look forward to both groups.
As part of my work with the Communications Group I have been involved in Communication and Aphasia awareness raising training and workshops for a wide range of organisations. I also give support and encouragement to new Service Users to the centre who are still "coming to terms" with the effects of stroke.
Rupert and Jane were hitched on 28th October 2000. I am awaiting my first grandchild??!!
My sister Carol, live in Herts and is a retired schoolteacher she was in the audience at one of the Communication Awareness Training presentations I have and was so impressed she is now a volunteer working with people with Aphasia in her local area.
If my family had any suggestions to make it would be that there should be more, readily available advice and information for family and carers early on in the recovery process. The information my family received through the Mackinnon Centre was invaluable but it came a bit late in the day - had they had such information earlier they wouldn't have struggled so much in the beginning and been so upset and worried about the future.
My latest CD "My Life and the Blues" has raised £800.00 + for the Mackinnon Centre Users Group through donations. I've laid down the first 3 tracks of my next album!!
Please contact me if you would like a copy of the CD. Any donation you would like to make should be made out to the Mackinnon Centre.
I am positive about the future. Life is a different challenge now but I enjoy my new life very much.
Alwyn James
Thanks to Alwyn for sending in his profile. Anyone else who would like to share their story can send it along with a photograph (if you're not shy!)
- c/o PROFILES,
- Click here for address
