Claire Martin

I don't know when exactlly I had my stroke.I had a headache for a couple of days and on the third day I went to see my GP as I discovered that I could not see anything to my right hand side.I actually drove there.My GP told me to go to medical admissions at the hospital,but not to drive.When I got there a doctor told me he suspected I may have had a stroke.I was devastated.I was sent for a CT scan but was told afterwards that the result was inconclusive and to go home.I only had half of a normal visual field and I was confused.She said that I would get an MRI scan on the tuesday,this was friday.

She phoned me on the monday and told me that I had had a stroke, a neurologist had examined my CT scan and identified this.I was started on the usual stroke drugs and over a perid of time had tests which determined no known cause for the stroke.I was told that my field of vision would be unlikely to improve any.I was also told that I would be able to return to work as a nurse but would not be able to drive again.I felt like my life was doomed.I felt very disabled by my hemianopia [visual loss].

It is now 3 years since my stroke.My field of vision did not improve but gradually I learned to compensate for my loss.I learned to scan with my eyes to enable me to see through 180 degrees.The RNIB were a great help with this.I went back to work 6 months after my stroke.I was advised by an occupational therapist at my work that I could be assessed to determine if I would be safe to drive again and thankfully I was deemed safe so I have the freedom of the road again.[The assessment process was very frustrating-it took the DVLA 16 months to decide that I could drive again].

I actually find driving easy despite being partially sighted.What I find really difficult is being in busy shops as people are always moving about and social situations as I can't see people when they are on my right.I feel very lucky that I don't have any physical disabilities,speech problems or swallowing difficulties which stroke can cause but I do feel that because people can't see that I'm partially sighted they are not aware of my difficulties.I remember an elderly lady drawing me daggers one day because I'd bumped into her.

I am lucky and happy to be alive though and I'm very glad to have such a supportive husband and a wonderful son.

Thanks for reading my story.It was therapeutic for me to write it.

Thanks to Claire for sending in her profile. Anyone else who would like to share their story can send it along with a photograph (if you're not shy!)

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