It is 21 years since my stroke

Sara Croft

It was a normal day for me in January 2003. It was the start of a working day, I began to feel unwell, I didn’t know what was happening, but luckily my workmate did, and she called an ambulance immediately.

It was all very quick. I got brain surgery and then spent 11 days in a coma. When I gained consciousness, I was told that I had an AVM in my brain that ruptured. Initially I had memory loss, I couldn’t even recognise my husband, which must have been terrifying for him.

I was impacted on my right side, which made walking difficult. And I have fatigue, epilepsy, anxiety and aphasia. It took a long time for my speech to improve. Even after a full year after the stroke I could only say a few words. Over time I have gotten some of my mobility, I wear a leg brace and keep my arm stable, and I get on with life.

Golf is my passion and it’s helped enormously in my rehab and recovery. It’s helped me both emotionally and physically, and the friends that I have made are lifelong. I sometimes go out on the course with Tommy Quick, it’s great to get out on the course in the fresh air and hit a few balls.

It’s just over 21 years since my stroke, and I know that recovery keeps happening, whether it be physical, cognitive or emotional. But finding an activity that you are passionate about and that you can share with other people is priceless.

Thank you to my husband, my kids and to golf. Without you I don’t know where I would be.