James Ducat - SPEAKING FOR MYSELF

On the eighth of May 1999, aged 39, disaster struck! I had been a teacher of English at St. Gregory's school Bath for ten years when I suffered my stroke. It was sudden and severe. I was about to go out and watch a rugby match, Bath v Harlequins, and had bought some chips and a sausage at Lingman's. I had just eaten at home, when it happened. Without any warning I became helpless, but with no loss of consciousness, and remained in my chair for probably an hour, then slid on to the floor. I live alone so there was no one who was aware of what had happened and I could have lain there all weekend. I was taken to the Royal United Hospital and admitted to a short stay assessment unit. I remember nothing much of this except having a catheter fitted! I understand that I was in there for about 48 hours, from where I was transferred to Ward 28, the neurological ward, under the care of Dr Bateman. Another thing that I do remember of that first week is not being able to get to sleep at night. My right leg and arm were paralysed and painful. Unknown to me, my eyes were deviated to one side for several hours following the onset of my stroke and the field of vision is still slightly impaired.

I was in hospital for almost six months. In that time I really got to know some of the other patients very well indeed. My bed was in the middle of the ward, so I was surrounded by others. Once I had got over the initial shock and severe impairment, and could take an interest in what was happening, I began to appreciate the nursing care I was receiving. The treatment I received in the Royal United Hospital was such that I have nothing but praise for the National Health Service. Initially, when I first went into hospital I could not speak or move my right arm, although as regards speech I knew what I wanted to say but could not find the words. Gradually my speech improved but is still impaired, and the leg has also shown signs of recovery to the extent that I can now walk with a stick, but not very far. The arm remains paralysed.

A most important person among my carers was Wendy, my physiotherapist whose patience and encouragement were limitless. It was thanks to her that ultimately, after I left hospital, I was able to walk again; if only for short distances although it was a very gradual business! She also taught me how to get in and out of bed, to sit and stand, all of which I had to learn from scratch. The occupational therapists were very important contributors to my recovery as they taught me how to dress and undress, and to cook using specially adapted tools. They were a team, including Hillary and Jean (the head of O.T.). My chief difficulties were not being able to spell and add up, also remembering people's names. I cannot recall numbers either, but all of this is improving slowly. As time goes on I will continue to improve although I do not expect to be as I was before my stroke occurred. I am just grateful for having survived. Henrietta, (the speech therapist) came to see me in the ward two afternoons a week -Wednesday and Friday - and after my discharge I attended a department every two three or four weeks, and am still doing so. Henrietta had the unenviable task of restoring my speech from scratch (so to speak) but natural recovery to a limited extent, was on our side. Nevertheless, her patience paid off, and it was a very great encouragement, as she gave me all sorts of pictures and letters to identify verbally. At the start, although I had the answers in my head, I could not vocalise them. When she discovered that I did IT at school she gave me my exercises for the computer. But, alas, my spelling was very bad! In fact I couldn't spell at all and had to be prompted on every single word. Now I am doing really well. I have come on so much during the last six months that I can send emails to my friends and family and they can understand what I have written! Some of this improvement must be attributed to a computer programme called 'Voice Xpress'. I would recommend this to anyone with similar speech difficulties. One only has to pronounce the words and it transposes them onto the screen. It doesn't need spelling.

Thanks, therefore, to my physiotherapist Wendy, my speech therapist Henrietta and my occupational therapists, including Hilary, I am now able to live a reasonably and semi-independent life of my own, where I want to be!

Thanks to James 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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