Stephen Raistrick lost his ability to walk and talk after suffering a stroke with no warning signs
Stroke survivor Stephen Raistrick(Image: Simon Greener/Newcastle Chronicle)
A 33-year-old man has recalled the heart-breaking moment he believed he ‘wasn’t going to make it’ after being told he had suffered a bleed on his brain. Stephen Raistrick from County Durham was just 29 when he suffered a stroke and admits ‘I had never heard of strokes happening to people before the age of 40 or 50.’
Now nearly five years on, despite regaining the ability to both walk and talk, Stephen is still feeling the impact of fatigue on his body. When tragedy struck Stephen says he had the ‘stereotypical face droop’ but there was no forewarning signs, with doctors at University Hospital of North Durham still unsure what caused it.
Stephen explained: “I always had high blood pressure but I had always seen strokes as something happening to older people.” His mum called 111 and he was sent first to Darlington Memorial Hospital then later transferred to the Durham city hospital, with Stephen admitting “at this point I felt like time was being wasted getting to hospital which was the most important part.”
As doctors continued to theorise what was wrong throughout the day, Stephen recalls it wasn’t until his mum and grandfather had returned home and he was alone in hospital just before midnight that a doctor confirmed the news he had suffered a bleed on his brain.
“I sat and thought what the hell is happening. I didn’t want to be in pain and genuinely felt my life was over then. I didn’t know much about strokes only casual stuff but to realise I couldn’t walk, control part of my body and to not be understood permanently – I didn’t have a clue how I’d cope for the rest of my life.
“I thought I might die, it might sound ignorant to say but I hadn’t thought about life after a stroke. They’re still not quite sure what caused it. Doctors at the stroke ward think a bump in the car I had a month before may have weakened the vessels in my brain.”
Following his stroke it took Stephen, from Spennymoor, three months to regain the ability to walk. Talking emerged quicker but Stephen still struggled with slurred words months on. It was then he was made aware of Stoke Association meeting groups – which this week have been celebrating 30 years in County Durham.
Celebrating 30 years of the stroke association at Bowburn Community centre in Duraham(Image: Simon Greener/Newcastle Chronicle)
“I felt a bit weird at first joining and very nearly didn’t because of the age difference. I didn’t think I’d find a common ground, I felt like an island – I’d never heard of strokes happening to people before the age of 40 or 50.
“The group leader talked me into going to one session and found it cathartic. Although not all of us experienced the same we’ve shared similar experiences and feelings and it felt good to find people that get it. as much as my mum and grandad help it’s still difficult to empathise I wouldn’t always have a lot in common with people here and its good for your mental health, it’s inspiring, it’s not all ‘doom and gloom.”
At the time of his stroke Stephen was a second year university student studying psychology. Because of the extreme fatigue he has suffered from the stroke he has been unable to return to studies, admitting its ‘ruined his educational career’.
“It’s no fun not being able to get out of bed and I see it as ultimately three years of loans wasted which isn’t fun to have over your head but there’s no cure for fatigue, I’ve just got to wait to see if it gets any better. It can be quite depressing and it’s not quite the same as people saying its ‘just a lazy day’.”
“I’ve often said it can feel like the person you were beforehand has died. It’s hard to describe but I had a comfortable life, ignorance is bliss compared to knowing what I do now.” But despite this Stephen has made progress, having moved into his own bungalow last year.
Ally Miller, service delivery coach at stroke Association (Image: Simon Greener/Newcastle Chronicle)
Ally Miller, service delivery coach at Stroke Association joint Stephen and other stroke survivors this week at Bowburn Community centre, celebrating 30 years of the stroke association in Durham. Ally explained that of the two types of Strokes, Stephen suffered a less common ‘haemorrhagic’ caused by a burst blood vessel, affecting less than 20%.
“What Stephens been through highlights the hidden affects. People will say you don’t look like you’ve had a stroke but fatigue is still a difficult thing to understand.”
“Having a presence in the local community means we can target and prevent strokes from happening and having a strong network means there’s someone to talk to for group and 1-1 support. Social isolation is a big factor and can lead up to 40% of survivors to develop emotional and physical depression.”
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