Stroke Ward

In the afternoon, I met up with Jean Lally who was kindly offering her services as a volunteer. We had our first session at the Stroke Ward at Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport. Its always going into the unknown when you start at a new venue- the participants, the staff, the environment all are to be discovered. We worked with three women, each one shared with amazing candor their experiences - one had been in hospital for 28 weeks and was fighting depression, God and her disability, she was full of anger- 'if I don’t hurry up I’ll be dead' Another women was the main carer for her Aunt, the determination to get home- so that she could resume her caring responsibility our conversation was humbling..'to get well as soon as possible and get back to my Aunt that I care for and love- there's only the two of us- just want a normal quiet life, anything would do.' And then there was the woman who spoke in such a matter of fact way about her devastating conditions 'I have not only one problem, not only a stroke but Inclusion Bodies Myisitis- a form of MS or motor neuron a muscle wasting disease. There's no way to stop it, no way to help it, not for me anyway.'

All three women shared such strength and determination it was inspiring and an honor and a privilege to talk with them.