“Getting out of the house and meeting new people in the same situation is very important,” Ivy Powell

Recovery from a stroke is a slow process, but never give up. Recently I have wondered about getting a mobility scooter. If I want to go to the shops I have to book a cab or Dial-a-Ride as I had a stroke a few years ago. Even to get to the dentist which is close by, it would be an advantage to have a scooter as I can’t walk far.

I am an independent person who previously drove a car and would drive all around. Since my stroke I have been concerned that I wouldn’t be able to drive as I can’t really use my left arm. I attend the stroke project who are very helpful for physio and chair-based exercising.

They have also been helping me get in touch with a mobility scheme. I have just found out that if I got a scooter I would also need to arrange some kind of storage for it because of health and safety. I didn’t realise I would have so many obstacles trying to get a mobility scooter, but it is something that I feel will enhance my life.

The children do not seem so keen but I have to do everything on the phone and it can be frustrating with the level of security with telephone banking and so many questions. I would like to be able to go to the bank on my own scooter and pay my bills. I attend the mobility gym which is helping to strengthen my legs and enabling me to move around more safely.

After being very ill and coping with the after effects of my stroke I was told that I would have to go to sheltered housing. I am a very independent person and I really didn’t want to do this. I was lucky enough that my son agreed to come and live with me so that I have remained in my own home. I was also told by the nurse that I would never walk again, but I have pushed myself and now walk with a stick.

To someone who has just had a stroke I would like to say, “Never give up.” It’s important to keep going – use free services like Dial-a-Ride so that you can get out to places like The Stroke Project and attend chair-based exercises and physio. My physio at the Ability Bow in St Stephens Road has been very inspiring and has made a massive change to my life. It’s a slow process but getting out of the house and meeting new people in the same situation is very important.