I am a Fighter

I am now a 47 yr old woman who is always ready for anything. 19yrs ago i suffered a Major Stroke just 6 days after giving birth...that was the first time i had to fight for my life. I spent the first 6 mths of my sons life in hospital & rehab, learning to wash, dress, feed & walk again with a significant left sided weakness whilst also learning how to look after a newborn when i was stuck in a wheelchair & couldn't use my left arm. I left rehab in a wheelchair, which i still use occassionally, I now use an elbow crutch & a foot splint to give me support when i walk. 8 years ago i was under the falls clinic at the hospital because i had been having a lot of falls, my left leg/hip was always painfull, i had sciatica down the left lower back & leg. I mentioned to the Dr that i had also shrunk 3" in height. I was sent for an MRI Scan & Spina Bifida Occulta & Tethered Cord Syndrome was diagnosed. It took a further 3 & half years before i was able to have Untethering Surgery, as i needed to loose weight before they would operate. I lost 6 stone & had the surgery in January 2015. I spent 18 days in hospital relearning to walk (Again) & having my wound dressed daily as i had an infection. I was discharged to my home on the understanding i came to Outpatients every other day for wound dressings. I have a bad drop foot from the Stroke & am now on my 5th Splint in 2 yrs to help with the drop & also stop my ankle twisting & causing me to fall. All in all i am now in a happy place, volunteering at my local Stroke Group & being a Stroke Ambassador. I had to fight for my life & mobility 19 yrs ago & I had to fight for my mobility (again) 2 yrs ago... I WILL NOT give in....