Elizabeth Stanforth-Sharpe
I'd Rather Walk Over Hot Coals...
Fundraising for Stroke Association
Story
Hello,
I'm Elizabeth.
I DID IT! On October 31, 2010, I covered a distance of 60 feet, walking over coals with a temperature of 579 degrees and IT WAS BRILLIANT.
Almost four years ago, I was a patient on the stroke unit of Scarborough General Hospital. I am blessed in that I have been slowly able to regain a measure of reasonable health and life quality. I've been one of the lucky ones.
Stroke related illnesses, brain trauma and the consequences for personal and family life can be devastating. Physical problems such as lack of speech clarity, post-stroke depression, memory loss, mobility issues and incontinence are only half the battle. Stroke victims can find it difficult to obtain employment, are often unable to obtain visas for travel, are targets for prejudice and marriages become vulnerable under the strain.
Sometimes it can seem as though the whole world is moving on and the one who suffers is left alone, bewildered, confused and frustrated.
The Stroke Association works alongside families, offers practical support for rehabiliation treatments and is a major contributor to research, with the vision that fewer might suffer in the future and, for those that do, the recovery will be all the better.
Put quite simply, The Stroke Association is one organisation that makes life more bearable for all concerned.
It has always been a goal of mine to participate in a firewalk; it just seemed a cool - well, hot - thing to do. Four years ago, hardly able to walk, my speech incomprehensible and having to spend weeks away from my family, I thought that the realisation would never happen. I'm thankful for my ongoing recovery. So thankful that I was prepared to walk over hot coals to express that gratitude.
On October 31, 2010, in Millenium Square, Sheffield, at approximately 7.00p.m, I achieved my goal of completing a firewalk.
Please donate so that The Stroke Association can be enabled to make sure that other victims of stroke-related illness are able to see their goals happen, too.
My love to you,
Elizabeth.