Ralph Price

I was thinking of submitting a story, and was stirred by Kevin's – 2003 – What about a sequel Kevin?!

But before I get onto that, I am no longer young – just young at heart – so I feel a bit of a fraud muscling in on 'your patch'. I think it's great that there is an organisation addressing the special issues that they might have with a problem that is still perceived as an 'old man’s ailment'.

My excuse is that I value what young people can contribute. We need you too! And until a stroke stopped me, I was living a young person’s life.

Kevin's story struck many chords with me. I lived for many years in Oz and know Noosa, and Malaysia.

I had just come back from China. I took the highest train in the world from there to Tibet – so high that oxygen masks are provided, but I was ok and didn't use them.

I was fit and well, active, only slightly overweight, ate a good diet, didn't smoke, social drinker. (Stopped completely 6 weeks before the stroke). (!)

Had no warnings – but should have – my Mum had a stroke, (Tee-Total) my father's brother died of a stroke. (Rare drinker)

So like Kevin, I thought strokes happened to other people.

I had come to the NE where I had never been, and knew no-one, so when stroke struck – in my sleep - I had the added challenge of being entirely alone, and hardly knowing where I was.

I say – not bragging – but to encourage others – that I left hospital in a wheelchair in 2008, but now am entirely self caring, walk (in a fashion), swim (in a fashion) and recently joined a rowing club.

It feels so good to get back to something fairly 'normal'.

Like Kevin, I got from the library Kirk Douglas's 'My Lucky Stroke' and found it very inspirational. Good to read about other survivors – like 'My year off' – Robt McCrumb – a founder member of Different Strokes.

Thanks to Ralph 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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