A survivor who lost both her job and home after her stroke is rebuilding her life after finding salvation in surfing.
Sally Freeman had her first of two strokes just four days before Christmas in 2015, turning her life upside down. Without any prior warning, an aneurism suddenly burst in her brain.
“I don’t remember a thing about my stroke,” says 62-year-old Sally, from Devon.
“I was out with my friend and I suddenly collapsed and that was it. They called my kids to come to hospital and told them they didn’t know if I was going to pull through.”
Sally was in hospital for the following four months, including an initial three-week stay in intensive care in Derriford Hospital, Plymouth – but while successfully fighting for her life, beyond her hospital bed, Sally’s world was falling apart.
“My kids couldn’t afford to pay the rent on my home when I was in hospital. I had to find somewhere else to live,” she recalls.
“All my furniture went to my ex-husband’s home for storage. My kids did the right thing but it meant we had to start again.
“I was in hospital and I was homeless. They wanted me out and I said I can’t because I’ve got nowhere to go.”
In a further devastating blow, the stroke also cost Sally her job and she had to rely on benefits.
“I had recently started working nights at Sainsbury’s packing online grocery orders after being made redundant at Beaford Arts Centre. I’d worked at the arts centre as a kitchen assistant for 20 years and it was a job I really loved,” says Sally.
“After the stroke I couldn’t work because I get dizzy and very tired.
“The aftermath of the stroke was something I couldn’t come to terms with. It was really traumatic but I got through it with the help of my family.
“My grandson Sonny was just two and he used to visit me in hospital. He would come running into the ward and cheer everyone up, even the doctors!”
Sally began the process of rebuilding her life and was able to find a supported living flat in Barnstaple, and two years later moved to a bungalow in Torrington to be near the care home where her late father was then living.
And in an unexpected twist, Sally found a love of surfing, which has helped to inspire her ongoing recovery. The course was enabled by The Stroke Association through its partnership with The Wave Project at Croyde.
“The first time I went I was very nervous,” said Sally.
“My balance is quite bad at times. I found it very difficult walking on the sand because I was so wobbly and had to be helped.
“The first session I chickened out and just watched but the second time I got the confidence to have a go. I absolutely loved it.
“Going in the water is just amazing. You switch off completely from worrying about anything. It’s a lovely feeling. You feel ‘Wooo, this is good!’
“So far I’ve only been on my stomach. I would be too wobbly to stand up but I’d like to try it on my knees. I feel quite proud of myself and I would like to keep it up now that this course has finished.
“The Wave Project staff and volunteers were absolutely brilliant looking after you and giving you confidence.”
Sally is sharing her story to support the Stroke Association’s Hope After Stroke campaign, highlighting the difficulties stroke survivors can face and moments that can give them optimism on the road to their recovery.
