Hi, my name is floss66! Husband is in a wheelchair after a stroke.

floss66

hello! My husband is now wheelchair reliant due to a severe stroke 7 months ago . We are struggling to find people in similar situation to talk to . It is very isolating and we would love to hear similar stories and how you overcame the challenges.

Albus_Scope

Heya @floss66 and welcome to the community.

If you need help with anything, please just ask away and we'll all do our best to support you.
Or if you just fancied a light hearted chat, or a few easy games, I'd recommend checking out the coffee lounge and the games den.

https://forum.scope.org.uk/categories/coffee-lounge

https://forum.scope.org.uk/categories/games

Bydand

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/136591/hi-my-name-is-floss66-husband-is-in-a-wheelchair-after-a-stroke

Hi, sorry to hear about your husbands stroke, that couldn’t have been an easy situation to go through.

I have not suffered a stroke and am not caring for someone who has but I did a few online searches for you and would recommend the below sites as a starting point.

Stroke association…..very informative site with lots of info…..they also have a search tool based on postcode which can help find a local support group in your area…..it’s under information and support tab then support and guidance

Then there is the British heart foundation……this site may be beneficial if your husbands stroke was due to complications with heart disease…..

I suffer from pulmonary fibrosis which is a lung disease and was dead set against support groups thinking I would manage, but I can say hand on heart that attending was the best thing I did……most well established support groups often have dedicated days and times which cater specifically for carers of stroke victims which can be really helpful in supporting you as a carer. Often these can be done through video group chats if you can’t attend personally.

My wife takes part in her carers support group completely independently from me, but it is a comfort to know that she has that support there for her.

Most challenges can be overcome in life but hearing from people who have lived experience can be invaluable in helping you to plan for things.

Attending a support group is entirely your choice as a couple or individual but I think you would have nothing to lose by at least making the initial contact by reaching out, you might be surprised how beneficial you both find it.

I hope this helps a little.

Take care and best wishes moving forward

S

floss66

Thank you so much !
I really need to do something to get out of the rut I’m in at the moment .

WhatThe

Hello floss and welcome to Scope 🤗

The best support we got as a family was from Headway

Headway - the brain injury associationhttps://www.headway.org.uk › acquired-brain-injury › st...Improving life after brain injury 0808 800 2244. Call our free helpline 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday. Or email helpline@headway .org.uk.

My dad was discharged home one Christmas Eve following a stroke on the operating table which had gone unnoticed until we visited him in hospital. I rang Headway's helpline for advice and information because nobody knew what to expect or what to do. He said some unrepeatable things to me that first night and I needed someone to talk to.

He got physiotherapy for a while. My mum accessed day care for him once or twice a week which he did not enjoy but she got that time to herself even if only to vacuum without the complaints! Headway also provides holiday respite care for each partner - together or separately - though I can't tell you about funding or eligibility.

My dear dad didn't really change after his stroke. He retained his wit and love of music, recording from the radio and filing his cassette tapes. His reduced vision bothered and restricted him the most. He missed driving terribly and was a terrible passenger, clinging on for dear life 😄

He used a stick and preferred to stay indoors rather than go out in a wheelchair. I don't know if that was out of concern for my mum having to lift/fold/push a wheelchair or whether he was too self-conscious to use one. He enjoyed his little fish pond and visiting birds in the garden but wheelchair outings were rare for him and I would say he was quite isolated and probably depressed as a result.

I hope things get easier for you both in time. It's great that you've reached out to this forum for support. You are not alone 💜