Through stroke I discovered photography

By Jane Cross 

I had a stroke one morning in December 2019. 

Waiting for the start of a meeting at work, I was typing away on my keyboard, when I noticed that what I was trying to type looked very different than what I had intended. I showed my colleague, who said everything looked fine to him. I figured I must’ve been tired; I hadn’t had my breakfast and it had been a busy morning. 

I took a break to have a glass of water and heat up some food. When I sat back at the conference room table and I tried to pick up my spoon, I couldn’t see it. I tried to move my hand to where I thought the spoon was, and I couldn’t move my hand.   

I could hear my colleague saying, “Jane are you alright?”  

“No, something’s happening” and at that moment my left side went into a seizure and my right side froze. An ambulance was called immediately, and I was taken to Werribee Hospital where I was thrombolysed and transferred to the Stoke Unit at Sunshine hospital. 

The stroke left me with many challenges. My right side was affected quite badly, I have fatigue and my short-term memory is shot. 

My mood and emotions were also very affected, and that was why a camera was placed in my hand. Initially taking photos was for my emotional state, to get me out of the house. To get me back to living. But photography has become so much more to me.  

My photography has given me the determination and motivation to get out of the house and see how beautiful the world really is. It’s made me learn new skills (both with the camera and then on my computer with editing software) and reignited a flame of positivity. It is something I can do, an accomplishment. When my husband comes home from work, he can ask, “Did you get any photos today?” and I can SHOW him! 

It feels so good. 

I believe that finding a creative outlet has helped me to accept I’m not the same as I was. I’m not less, just different. I must slow down and say “no” to things when I am not up to it.  

So how does a woman who has very limited movement on her right side hold a camera?  

I have a tripod and a monopod for staged photography, but when I’m out walking l always wear a neck strap and take most of the weight in my left hand, that way my right hand only needs to push the button.  

I also find trees, goalposts, husbands, ANYTHING to lean my body against for extra support. My right arm shakes a lot and gets very heavy when using the camera for more than a few minutes, so as often as possible I tuck it under my arm and do some stretches to get the blood pumping again. 

I think photography has really made me realise that there is so much left to enjoy in the world. Having a stroke has made me value each and every day. And I hope to one day make a career out of it.  

I want to dedicate this blog to my family to say thank you. 

My best friend and husband Brendan, who never gave up on me. My Mum and Dad and my sister Kate for shuffling their lives around to help me. For listening to me sob, for picking up the pieces, for writing everything down so I don’t forget, but most of all for your patience and loyalty. I am a very stubborn patient, but it’s got me this far! 

Thank you to my two teenage children for being understanding when I haven’t been able to run them around or attend their sports, and for doing extra jobs around the house to help me out. 

Finally, to my amazing friends, who ring me two or three times a week, and check in before and after appointments - my support network is strong, reliable and has been an invaluable part of getting me to where I am today. Thank you.