Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Today I stood unaided, without holding onto anything, just balancing on my own and it was such a great feeling.    

This is thanks to my ARNI instructor.

It’s a year since I suffered my stroke, the day my life and my family’s lives changed, the day my world as I knew it fell apart.  A year on and finally I feel a change again, but I have a long way to go and a battle on my hands. 

This last year I would not wish on anyone. Suffering my stroke, being stuck in a Spanish hospital, an air ambulance bringing me back to the UK but not home, back to another hospital, complications, scans, infections, another hospital move.  And Covid thrown into the mix.

I am back home now but I need help with everything.  Desperate I  asked my consultant to help me, I was getting nowhere.  I thank the day he put me in touch with a Dr Tom Balchin.

Two years after himself suffering a severe stroke at the young age of 21 and successfully recovering, he started a national Charity. 20 years on, ARNI (ACTION FOR REHABILITATION AFTER NEUROLOGICAL INJURY) Stroke Charity is actively helping families around the UK by advancing the rehabilitation of people suffering from the effects of stroke, like me, and other brain injuries.  ARNI does this by giving people the tools to help themselves progressively to regain action control, physical coping strategies, strength, and confidence. 

Dr Tom Balchin has written books about the methods which the evidence base states is most current to help people like me, which combined with his innovative techniques, significantly helped Andrew Marr after his stroke. Dr Balchin worked with Andrew Marr for under 3 years. There is a point in which stroke survivors can become  autonomous and independent by learning how to self-recover. I’m on that road too.

I bought and read his book “Had A Stroke? Now What” and it is this book that gave me back some hope and belief that I can walk again and regain the use of my left arm.

Dr Balchin’s team has now signed me up with Richard, an ARNI/ Stroke Solutions Instructor, who will look after my needs going forward.  I had an initial assessment and have already had some superb sessions.  Richard will help to ‘retrain’ me at home which is a huge weight off my mind too. I’m progressing at last!

I am aware that Covid has made this a very difficult time for everyone which makes this a big ask of you but, several friends and family have asked how you can help me and it would mean a lot to me if you can offer your support with donating money to “ARNI” who in turn will be able to offer me some additional physio sessions along with others in the same position as myself.

Thank you all for your support, love, and messages over these difficult months, they have meant the world to me.

Love you all so very much.  Jan  Xx

P.S.

Please check out Dr Balchin on the web as I think you will find his life story amazing https://arni.uk.com/dr-tom-balchin/ .

You can purchase the book “Had A Stroke? Now What” directly from ARNI Charity website and can I suggest if you do know anyone else who has had a stroke you put them in touch with this charity as soon as possible. Telephone No: 0203 053 0111

https://arni.uk.com/stroke-survivors/testimonials/

And remember look at your lifestyle, I sent some pointers in my email, make some changes to your lifestyles to help you avoid a stroke.  My stroke has had a devastating effect on my life, I would hate that to happen to any of you.