I had a stroke on 23rd April 1983 - when I was 13 years old. At the time, I lived in Bundaberg with my parents, my brother and sister. I spent the next 16 weeks in the Royal Brisbane Hospital. I didn’t understand what had happened to me and I don’t recall being told anything. Maybe I chose not to.

When I was discharged from hospital, I couldn’t walk, my speech was slurred, my body didn’t always function the way I wanted it to, and my coordination and balance were affected. They wanted to put me into a Home for Crippled Children. I did not go.

I returned to the hospital for a check-up in 30 day’s time. I walked into the doctor’s office – they said it couldn’t be done. I simply made up my mind that I wanted to walk. I continued with my education in 1983. By the time I completed high school in 1987 I’d lost sight of the big picture. I had no ambition, very little pride and a negative attitude. The only thing that mattered to me was sport, though I wasn’t any good at sport anymore.

In 1987 I joined a community service club. I read “The Power of Positive Thinking” and “You Can If You Think You Can”. In 1990 I returned to high school. In 1991 I commenced studying Psychology, Tourism and Leisure at university. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1995.

I’m now a Recreation Worker, a student (Master of Business Administration/ Sports Management), a coach, an athlete and a member of a Lions Club. I was a volunteer at the Paralympic Games in Sydney, the Goodwill Games in Brisbane and at Camp Quality in Central Queensland.

Every day I tell myself it can be done, there is no such thing as “can’t”, nothing is impossible and that I always have a choice (I choose to believe)!

David lives and works in Rockhampton, central Queensland. Send a message to David by emailing us.

My story is probably a little different due to the fact that I have not suffered a stroke nor has my husband or any relative, but I have a lot of very good friends who have. My association with the Maryborough Stroke Group started when I was working at the local hospital as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Part of my duties were to assist the Therapists with a weekly rehabilitation program for clients who had suffered a stroke. After a very short time I realized that I had met one of the most incredible people groups in our community.

Every member of the group whether they were the person who had suffered the stroke, or the carer of that person, they showed such courage and determination. Unfortunately for the close knit group the funding for the program was withdrawn and the weekly meetings were cancelled. About the same time I retired and one day at the official monthly meeting in the Community Centre two of the carers expressed how much their husbands had been depressed without their weekly get together. That day we realized that it was mainly the 'not getting together' that was really bothering them. We decided that we could go from house to house each week and even if we couldn't run a rehab program we could all drink tea or coffee and eat cake.

And we did !!! By this time I was getting so much enjoyment from being involved with these amazing people it was just natural that I continued to be a part of the group. It's over 2 years now and we sometimes really let our hair down and all go out to a coffee shop for cappuccino and cake or to a club for a meal. The wonderful support shown among the members has challenged me as a practicing Christian to walk the walk not just talk the talk. I see so much practical love, caring and humour in this group every week that I want to be around these people, they are now a very special part of my life. All of the group are friends of mine and I don't see any change in my involvement in the future. I feel that I have had a tremendous privilege to know these special people, who face such amazing challenges every day that I can barely imagine, and yet everyone of them takes up that challenge without complaining and shows such courage to be able to do many of the things that I just take for granted.

These people, the victims of stroke and each of their carers are my true 'heroes' and I feel very honoured to be a part of the Maryborough Stroke Group. Recently we had the honour of meeting two more very special people, Ross and Ann who are such an incredible inspiration to everyone who has the privilege of spending time with them and hearing 'their story'. Two more awesome heroes to add to my list. Personally I wish to say a big 'Thank You', because I know that my life is so much richer for knowing each and everyone of you.

Jenny lives in Maryborough, Queensland. Send a message to Jenny by emailing us.