Abduls's story
Abdul is in his early forties. A year ago, he had a stroke that affected his right side and his speech.
Abdul was born with spina bifida, so he has always used a wheelchair to move about. When he was younger, he took part in competitive wheelchair sports and won medals. His arm weakness recovered well, so he can continue to use his wheelchair.
After the stroke, Abdul was quite scared. Not knowing what would happen frightened him. But then he realised how his weakness and speech gradually got better and that made him happy.
Abdul appreciates the help he received in the hospital and at the rehabilitation unit. Now, Abdul continues to work on his reading and talking. He practices a lot, with the speech and language therapist and also by himself and that helps. Little improvements make Abdul happy, because he sees things happening.
Abdul recently returned to work, working for a few hours at first.
Abdul enjoys spending time with his two daughters, his partner and other family members. He loves movies and the cinema. He supports Arsenal and often goes to see the team play at the Emirates. Abdul also enjoys travelling, socialising – meeting and talking to different people.
The main thing was, I thought ‘wow’ and ‘what is it going to be like?’ For me, I didn’t know what it was going to be like, was it going to be bad?
Was it going to be different? All these things in my head… On my own, I was thinking all these things.
Patient Advice
Be honest and let people know
Abdul’s advice: I have always worked and love what he do. You have to be honest sometimes things are going to be different. This used to make me very upset and talking, opening up, helped me. At work, there is no need for me to talk a lot with others to do what I need to do. I also don’t need to do things quickly. They let me have time. Colleagues know I have had a stroke. I feel I need to be honest with people and let them know.
My life with stroke in pictures
