Kenneth Halstead

My name is Kenneth Halstead. I was 39 years old when I had my stroke.

I was playing cricket on 28-04-03 away at Baxenden. I had driven there in our 4 wheel drive vehicle(manual). We were batting and I opened the batting as usual. I was out in the 4th over of the game and came off to the changing rooms. I sat in front of the pavillion and took off my pads and other body guard equipment and sat watching the rest of our innings. After about 45 mins the score box at the other side of the field changed to double vision. I thought nothing of this and thought it would pass by Teatime as I was also the wicket keeper. After about 1 hour the double vision was still present so I rang my wife and for some unknown reason I commented to her that I thought I was having a stroke. She told me not to talk so daft and if I didnt feel well to get myself home. After about a further 30mins some of the lads decided to have a walk around the boundary and I joined them. Half way around the field my legs just went paralysed and I collapsed in a heap. I was helped to my feet by the other lads who supported me back to the pavillion. I rang my mother to come and pick up the 4 wheel drive as my wife only passed in a automatic so could not drive the 4 wheel drive. I sat talking to one of the lads who use to play for Baxenden whom I knew and said to him I would go to Airedale hospital as I had other blood problems. His reply was "you will not make it to airedale get down to Blackburn Royal". My mother arrived and I had my equipment collected and placed in the car. I was helped into the passenger seat and sat with the door open thanking the lads from Baxenden when I started to be violently sick,they rushed into the bar and dialled 999 and the Ambulance came from Blackburn Royal. A stroke still had not been diagnosed at 20. 00 hrs as I also suffered from epilepsy.

Eventually a stroke was diagnosed and I was transferred to Preston Royal Infirmary. My wife rang her mother to inform here (she was in Spain with father in law at there mobile home)and she return home as soon as they got a flight. I was admitted to the hospital on the Monday and on the Wednesday the specialist had a meeting with my wife. (She told me the contents of the discussion after I was sent home as he told her not to be surprised if I die!).

After 2 weeks I was transferred nearer home to Queens Park Blackburn(about 17 miles from home still). In early June I was taken for assesment to Rakehead Rehabillitation Unit to decide whether I was suitable to be admitted there and rehabilitation to be carried out. All this time I still could not stand up never mind walk,this was very hard to accept and frustrating as I had lead such a active sporting life and suddenly nothing. Rakehead was only 9 miles from home and I was transfered there 11-06-03 where I underwent intensive physhio and re-taught how to walk unaided.

Whilst all this was going on my business was still been run by my mother and one of my Cricket pals who was a accountant. I was discharged from Rakehead in September 2003 after spending nearly 6 months in Hospital. I returned to work in November 2003 with little mental side effects i.e telephone no using the computer but the biggest problem was that I was not allowed to drive for a further 30 months. Physically I could walk a small distance but I still have major problems with balance and co-ordination and seems that there is little that can be done to assist this.

Thanks to Kenneth 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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