I am Martin and was a computer programmer until I was made redundant at 49. I decided to take early retirement and spent the next 2 years enjoying my hobbies, which included traipsing around the New Forest looking at archeological sites, attending meetings like science cafes and lectures at Intec Science Centre near Winchester and playing my music keyboards.

All that stopped though when, at age 52, I had my first of 7 strokes in just over five years. My sight, left arm, right arm, right leg and speech were all affected at different times The fourth one though had a good result in that it restored my eyesight which had originally been diagnosed as Optical Migraine, but it didn’t go away and got steadily worse and was in fact stroke 1.

I have “cerebral small vessel disease” but the cause of this is not known so I have registered to help Southampton University with research projects and I have been involved with a couple of projects which do help to make me feel useful! I have also supplied blood for the NHS research study called “BRIDGE” which is part of the Genome project which aims to identify rare genetic causes of strokes.

Although I had very good physiotherapy from the NHS when it ended I felt that I was missing out on exercise and group social meetings/support.

I did keep up as much exercise as possible by going out for a very short walk with my wife every day as I am not stable enough to go out by myself. When I say short, I mean that we started off by just getting out the front door and slowly increased the distance by just a step or two each day.

Eventually by building up my stamina and taking plenty of rests on my walker seat we were able to get to the next corner and, having got my disabled bus pass, get on a local bus which goes round in a loop every hour. This bus was ideal as it would stop where ever you want and does not move off until you are seated! We were surprised to be greeted by several elderly ladies on the bus who had apparently been watching my progress as they went by each day. They were so pleased I had finally made it. Even now when we go out by car we often meet someone who has seen me and who asks how I am getting on. I like to be of use by providing entertainment for the locals!

I have found that it is the little things which can mean so much and if you can keep practicing them then you will make progress.

The local Different Strokes group has played a big part in my recovery since I was pointed in their direction by the stroke nurse. Ranj, Andy and the members of the group welcomed us both. It was so nice to find a group of people who, although their strokes had different causes and effects, had experienced similar problems to us. I enjoy going to the rehab gym at Therapeutics when I feel up to it.