Press release -
Gosport stroke survivor urges support for charity who helped his recovery
Leslie Brannon, a stroke survivor from Gosport, is supporting the Stroke Association’s ‘I am more than my stroke’ Christmas appeal, after returning to his passion for woodwork.
In July 2018 Leslie, 70, got up in the middle of the night when his wife, Toni, noticed he was making a strange gargling noise. Toni called out to ask if Leslie was ok and when she received no answer turned the lights on and recognised the signs of a stroke and called 999 immediately.
Leslie was rushed to hospital and received thrombolysis, a clot-busting treatment. As a result of his stroke, Leslie is now left with weakness down the right side of his body, fatigue and a communication difficulty called aphasia.
Leslie has been supported by the Stroke Association’s local Communication Support Service, and also attends a Stroke Association support group.
Leslie said: “I know first-hand that stroke can turn your life upside down in an instant and change it forever. The last few months have been a challenge, when something like this happens you just don’t know where to turn or what to do. But despite what I’ve been through, the support I received from the Stroke Association made me feel that I am more than my stroke, I’m still me and I can still live my life. The Stroke Association’s Communication Support group is a safe place where I feel comfortable to have conversations. It’s so helpful to meet with other stroke survivors with similar problems and share personal experience.”
“After my stroke I felt scared, but I was determined not to let my stroke and my weakness in my right arm stop me from getting back into my workshop. Life may not be the same as what it was before by stroke, but it is still life and I am determined to give everything a go! With the help of new lighter electric chainsaw and support from my wife and friends, I am now back doing what I love working on brooms and cutting coppice.”
There are more than 100,000 strokes in the UK each year. Stroke continues to be a leading cause of disability and over 80 per cent of stroke survivors require help with daily living such as walking, washing, eating and communicating. The ‘I am more than my stroke’ Christmas appeal is seeking to raise money for the Stroke Association so that they can continue to help more stroke survivors with their recovery.
Tara Galloway, Head of Stroke Support for the Stroke Association said: “For many stroke survivors, rebuilding their lives after stroke is a long and challenging process. Stroke not only presents physical challenges, but the way it suddenly changes people’s lives and their plans for their future can also cause feelings of depression, anxiety and despair. However, we have seen that with the right support many people can be helped to live fulfilling lives following their stroke.
“As the UK’s only charity dedicated to supporting those affected by stroke, we help to address the emotional, practical and physical needs of stroke survivors and their families so they can achieve the best possible quality of life. However, we aren’t yet able to reach everyone who needs our help and that’s why our Christmas Appeal, ‘I am more than my stroke’ is raising essential funds so that we can be there for more people like Leslie.”
To find out more about the help and support the Stroke Association offers and to make a donation to its Christmas Appeal visit stroke.org.uk/iammore.