Yvonne Griffths

While in Malaysia in May 2002 on holiday I tripped over & hit my head very hard against the wall in my hotel room & suffered a stroke. This apparently was caused due the main right artery in my neck being broken which caused a blood clot to my brain. This caused the whole of my left side to become paralysed. I had 2 MRI scans while in Malaysia & was not allowed to fly home for 4 weeks. Meanwhile my mum flew over to see me as was obviously very worried. I had extensive physiotherapy while in Malaysia a week after my accident & had to learn to walk & use my entire left side again. Once back in the U.K I had a lot more physio from a neurological physiotherapist who was brilliant & I gradually began to get the feeling back & eventually was able to walk without the aid of a stick.

Since my accident nearly a year ago I have regained nearly all my strength in my left hand side by doing a lot of Pilates, going to the gym & generally trying to build up the muscles in that side & can honesty say that I seem to regain more strength day by day. I became very depressed after my accident & put on nearly 2 stone in weight but I've become a very strong person since the accident & don't take anything for granted any more.

Thanks to Yvonne 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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