Garrie Shicommie
I was 29 when I suffered from my strokes and will never forget the date, Sunday 21 September 2003.
I woke up at work on the Sunday morning with a really sore eye. I was thinking maybe I was allergic to the washing powder the bedding had been washed in and kept getting up to bathe my eye. I was working as a senior carer for 3 adults with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour.
The pain eventually wore off, and I thought nothing more of it. Spent a pleasant morning at work, and an afternoon at my Gran's with my girlfriend, Mum, niece and nephew. On the way home my girlfriend and me called in to view a flat, and 5 minutes after we`d got back in the car the pain started in my eye until it was unbearable, and then the stroke happened. My girlfriend insisted on taking me to the hospital, and I insisted on having a cigarette before I went in to Accident & Emergency. That was the last cigarette I ever had! I had a further 4 strokes, 3 of which were quite severe.
I was in hospital for 2 weeks and was left paralysed down my right side with no speech. It was a huge shock, and I wasn`t a good patient. Having my girlfriend bath and dress me was so embarrassing. I can remember I couldn`t even fill in the menu sheets in the hospital, and even fell down on the floor like a sack of spuds when I was so stubborn I wouldn`t ask for help in going to the toilet!
I wouldn`t have coped with it if it wasn`t for my family and my girlfriend. Nearly 7 months later I'm back at work and driving again, although I am still affected with my speech being a bit slurry and slight weakness on the right side.
I have learnt that family and friends are so important and my priorities in life have changed so much. Live for today, as tomorrow may change everything.
Thanks to Garrie 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!)
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