From Stroke to 5km Walk Around Auckland

In 2014 I was a happy, healthy and fit business owning family man.

Then, on Christmas Day without warning I suffered an ischemic stroke. I say without warning as I had none of the common risk indicator such as high blood pressure or cholesterol.

The prognosis was permanent right eye blindness and total paralysis on the left side of my body. And so began a long programme of rehabilitation.

Fairly early in this phase I was recommended to try Laura Fergusson Rehabilitation in Greenlane. I eventually completed two courses with LFR, the first was funded by my insurance company and was a programme tailored to my specific physical needs; the second was a generic programme for stroke victims. The second course was particularly beneficial.

As a stroke victim it would be very easy to sit on the couch, watch TV, eat convenience food and feel sorry for yourself.

The LFR programme included fully funded taxi transport to and from my home (30km each way). The course is funded by means of a private donation. For me the timing was impeccable, as it got me off the couch and into a regime of self care.

The programme is twofold, one being the physical rehab and the second focus being educational. Covering the why and how of strokes, nutritional needs and medication options and requirements. Depression is common in stroke victims, and the course also teaches symptoms to be aware of and medication options for treatment. The whole facility provides an opportunity for patients to interact with other stroke victims and people with a wide range of disabilities.

With left side paralysis, I had to learn to walk again. When I started at LFR, I was was walking with a stick but my aim was to walk without an aid. My time in LFR started me on the path to walking unaided.

It is worth noting that in New Zealand stroke victims receive no support from ACC, and only limited home-based support from DHBs.

My consistent goal during rehab has been to one day participate in an athletic event again. I have previously been a competitive distance athlete with a marathon PB of 2’32”. To have been rendered unable to walk, let alone run, has been particularly difficult for me to accept. I am convinced that my time at Laura Fergusson Rehabilitation has contributed greatly towards the acceptance of my current condition and was also beneficial to me getting to the point where I can attempt a 5km walk.