I'm taking part in the "Stride for Stroke" challenge to raise funds for the Stroke Association. The aim is to walk 1.2 million steps in 120 days, (i.e. 10,000 steps a day), to raise funds and help provide support for the 1.2 million stroke survivors living in the UK. 

I am a stroke survivor myself. In early 2018, I went into hospital for a routine hip replacement. This was successful, but a few hours afterwards I suffered a rare form of stroke, a bilateral watershed stroke, for reasons unknown. In the minutes that followed it became obvious that I had lost my sight, the use of my right hand and the feeling in my left arm. I spent the next two weeks in hospital trying to recover. 

Over the months that followed my vision returned, up to a point, but not to the extent that I can drive, and, although I can read, it's a slow process. My hand and arm function have significantly improved and, although I initially lost the ability to play the guitar, I have taught myself to play again. 

Three years on, and having had my other hip replaced a year ago, and particularly since physiotherapy clinics were allowed to reopen their doors following the first covid lockdown, I'm finally getting going!  My sense of balance is still affected, but I'm learning to live with it, my hips have really improved and I've gradually been increasing the miles I can walk over the past nine months. So, these "1.2 million steps in 120 days" are going to be a challenge, but I'm up for it!

Thank you for reading this and, if you feel you'd like to make a donation, no matter how small, I and the Stroke Association would be extremely grateful. Thank you.