At the age of 37 Andy McCann was physically fit, strong and in good health. Then, mid-way through instructing his weekly martial arts class, he experienced a stroke and was rushed to hospital. Until then, the word stroke' had meant little to Andy, and in this book he recounts the many difficulties in learning to live with his new situation. Funny, poignant and informative, the book is not just a personal story, but also offers a wealth of advice and information for anyone who wants to know more about strokes. He explores a broad range of issues experienced by stroke survivors, from the very practical considerations of managing financial security and understanding medical approaches and terminology to the more personal challenges of coming to terms with a new sense of vulnerability and dealing with the attitudes of friends and family. The common thread throughout is Andy's insistence that he will not be a stroke victim' but a stroke survivor', determined to live with his new set of circumstances in a positive way. This book is a compelling yet practical source of information that will be valued by professionals and patients alike whether a fellow stroke survivor, a concerned family member or a health or social care professional working with stroke victims.
Contents: Forewords by Robin Sieger and The Stroke Association. Introduction. Section 1: My Stroke. Stroke in context. My stroke in context. The first few days. The brain scan and confirmation of stroke. Religion finds me! Some tests to establish the cause. Meeting the Stroke Nurse. Returning home. Making progress at home. Lessons in psychology. Dogs and more therapy. Walking a new path. Section 2: What is a Stroke? An Introduction to Neuroscience. A route through the maze of information. What is a stroke? The brain - basic neuro-anatomy for the lay person. The blood supply to the brain -basic vessel anatomy for the lay person. A physiological warning of stroke -Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). The onset of stroke. Why stroke occurs. The effects of stroke. How an individual can be affected having survived a stroke. The prognosis following stroke. Section 3: A Toolkit for Recovery and Prevention. Players to the game. What is the players to the game approach? Can alternative and complimentary therapies be used as players? How can the value of each player be assessed? The players I used. Other players. Section 4: Stroke Statistics. Using statistics. A global perspective. Australia. Canada. Europe. New Zealand. Southern Africa. United Kingdom. United States. Stroke warning statistics. Age related statistics. Gender related statistics. Ethically related statistics. Health and lifestyle related stroke related statistics. Funding and cost implications. Random facts. The future. Section 5: Financial Matters. Financial worries - an unavoidable situation in life. State benefits. Employment statutory sick pay (ESSP). Incapacity benefit. Private policies. Critical illness. Holiday Insurance. Planning ahead. Returning to work. Conclusion. A final word from Anne.
This is more than a persona guide to recovery after a stroke and more than a book about stroke. It is an extraordinary journey through a part of someone's life by an extraordinary person who not only sees himself as having survived a life changing illness, but someone who has gained from it. This book is a reminder of the fragility of life and all that we take for granted in our everyday lives and defines a way forward for those who find themselves in this, or similar circumstances and for those who want to enhance their knowledge of illness, prevention of illness and recovery...This book should be essential reading for survivors and those close to them, for relevant professionals and for those wanting to extend their knowledge about strokes and other illnesses which impact on an individual's life course.
