Denise Airey

My first stroke was at 21 although at the time the doctors didn't seem too sure, in fact at one point I was sent to see a psychiatrist. All I recall is being at work (manager of a group home for adults with Learning Disabilities) and feeling as though I was hovering over my head watching my colleagues trying to get some sense from me. Subsequently I lost all movement & feeling in my right side which improved after months of physic. I had several more incidents over the next few years but always recovered & go on with things even though there still seemed to be no cause!

In 2000 I finally got a diagnosis by a newly qualified neurologist who decided to think outside the box (or in this case the textbook) I had Antiphospholipd Syndrome (sticky blood) and Lupus (an auto immune disease). However I still carried on with my life as I was then a single mum to a 4 year old!

In 2005 at the age of 37 I was at work when it happened again, lost the use of my right side and couldn't speak etc, I then developed a major tremor in my right side which I still have today. The whole hospital process began again & this time I was there for 3 months. Since then I have suffered 2 more mild strokes and I am now left with reduced mobility where I have to use a crutch every day (not much good when trying to attract the opposite sex!), a permanent tremor in my right arm & a very weak left arm.

The most depressing thing about each of these hospital stays is being on wards full of very elderly (sometimes dying) patients with no-one of a similar age to talk to.

I have learnt to write with my left hand - not brilliantly but I can read it and I work 4 days a week (although by the 4th day my brain s very 'foggy'). I get help from Access to Work with taxis as I can't use the wonderful public transport system here in in London. I use voice activation software to help me at work, although it's not much use on the days I feel muddled.

The hardest thing throughout this whole process has been coming to terms with my body letting me down, people staring a lot or asking if I have had an accident - I was thinking of producing a badge saying' yes I have had a stroke(s) and yes I am young' so I don't have to keep repeating myself. Also coming to terms with the fact that I may never meet a new partner as I'm not exactly a sexy proposition but trying to maintain a sense of humour. I do get down sometimes, especially as my family is far away in Yorkshire but I have some fantastic friends who help too especially when I have days of crying for no apparent reason.

It's been great reading everyone else's stories because it helps to know there are others out there.

Thanks to Denise 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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