Former patient returns to hospital that changed her life to give a little something back at Christmas

Carol, 65 from Stratford-upon-Avon returned to the hospital in Birmingham that supported her recovery from a life-changing stroke, to inspire and bring Christmas cheer to staff and patients.

Returning to the hospital for the first time since she was discharged, Carol wanted to do something to give back to the staff and patients at Circle Rehabilitation.

Admitted to Circle Rehabilitation in May 2023 following a stroke, Carol lost all feeling on the left-hand side of her body.

She spent two weeks on acute care ward, it was only when her daughter discovered Circle Rehabilitation that she began her journey to recovery.

Arriving in May 2023, two weeks poststroke at the 19-bed specialist rehabilitation facility, Carol needed a hoist to assist her with all transfers as the effects of the stroke had significantly affected her ability to move freely.

A dancer by background and up until her stroke, the Dean of a prestigious performing arts college, the impact on Carol’s mental health had been severe.

Carol said: “I remember the nurses telling me that I would walk again.

“I’d always been an active person and even trained as an aerobic instructor but after my stroke I really struggled with the idea that I wouldn’t be able to do the things I had enjoyed previously again.”

Following her admission, Carol embarked on an intensive rehabilitation programme, carefully tailored to her by the staff and specialists at Circle Rehabilitation.

Over four weeks, Carol had hours of treatment each day, building up her strength and movement.

During her stay, she began attending the dance rehabilitation classes organised by the team at the hospital for patients with similar conditions to Carol’s.

Carol said: “It felt nice to be dancing again, even when I was in my wheelchair and it was difficult to process the adjustment in my life, each of the sessions helped to slowly rebuild my confidence and aid in my recovery.”

Spurred on the nursing and therapy team, Carol regained the feeling on the left-hand side of her body.

Just four weeks after arriving on a stretcher, with the aid of a walking stick, she was able to leave the hospital and return home to Stratford-upon-Avon.

Carol said: “It was an incredible feeling to be up and walking again.

“The team at Circle Rehabilitation were so careful and I trusted them completely.

“They really understand what it means to have a life changing event and were with me throughout.”

She added: “I continued to have outpatient rehabilitation sessions, just to make sure I was still on track and each time I came away stronger. Everyone I’ve spoken to since my time at Circle Rehabilitation has been told how wonderful everyone there is and the difference they’ve made to my life.”

It was at one of these appointments that Rebekah Jones, a Physiotherapist at Circle Rehabilitation, suggested that Carol return to the hospital in the run up to Christmas to support the Dancercise classes.

Going one step further, Carol decided to choreograph a special Christmas piece to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

Drawing on her decades of experience in the performing arts and with the aid of staff at the hospital, her small gesture of thanks to the patients and staff that helped her, became a reality.

Carol said: “I could understand what each of the patients was going through.

“I remember the sadness of sitting there thinking that this was my life now.

“I wanted to come back to the hospital and show them that you can get better.

“I spoke to Rebekah and we looked at who was available, particularly those who had been attending her Dancercise classes and began working on a routine.

“We relied on a lot of what I call arm-ography, as some patients weren’t as mobile as others.”

She added: “Some were in wheelchairs, but I wasn’t deterred, and we began to practice.

“The final performance was wonderful, and I could see the joy in people’s faces. It was a very special feeling.”

Carol’s story is one of determination and the power of rehabilitation to support patients to make a full recovery.

Her gift to Circle Rehabilitation brought joy to patients, their families and the staff who work tirelessly to support individuals through what is often the most difficult period in their lives.

When asked what returning to Circle Rehabilitation to support this event meant to her, Carol said: “It felt good to come back.

“Just walking up the stairs and moving in and out of the rooms was an incredible experience.

“It was really special to reconnect with the nurses who had supported me from day one.

It’s meant a lot to me to give just a little something back this Christmas to those who have given me so much.”

Find out more about Circle Rehabilitation at circlehealthgroup.co.uk