Embracing life after ischemic stroke

At first glance, it would be easy to assume that she was badly injured in an accident, but her experience goes much deeper than that.

Leslie-Ann is on a journey to recovery from a stroke, which left her bedridden for several months.

The 41-year-old Claxton Bay resident spent most of her childhood in San Fernando and entered the nursing profession because of her strong desire to help people. “I always liked to help people, especially those who were in need of care,” Leslie- Ann tells WMN.

She has almost 20 years of experience in the Health Sector, climbing the ranks by doing a number of nursing programmes. One of the last programmes she did before she got the stroke was midwifery. Leslie-Ann had assisted in numerous deliveries during her two years of the midwifery programme at San Fernando General Hospital, and was preparing for the final exam when she got an ischemic stroke on October 1, 2011. Her final exam was in January 2012 and she was unable to complete the programme to become a certified midwife.

“An ischemic stroke is one where there is a blockage of the cerebral arteries by a blood clot within the brain or neck. The blood carries oxygen and important nutrients to the brain and when the brain is deprived of this. It can lead to serious damage,” she explains.

“What led to my stroke? I believe was also poor stress management. It was a very intense midwifery programme and then I had my home to manage, so it was everything in one.” She recounted the moments leading up to the stroke, “I was with my husband, we were driving home and I found that his words started to sound strange. I could hear his voice but could not make out what he was saying. We didn’t pay much attention to it and we went home oblivious to the fact that a stroke was in progress. When I went to the washroom and came back out that was it. I couldn’t move my entire left side.” Despite all this, Leslie-Ann is currently a student at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine and is at the end of her second year, pursuing a degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminology.

“I enrolled in UWI to pursue something that could work with my abilities and so far, I am doing beyond human expectations. I am anticipating full recovery and then I could marry psychology to nursing.” One of her greatest accomplishments is resuming driving and being able to go to places like the beach and the grocery on her own. “Some people take for granted everyday activities like walking, talking and moving. I am able to better understand people with disabilities. I know for a fact people take advantage of them so I make it my priority to help whenever I can by giving them free rides to places where they need to go.” “Initially, having a stroke was a grim and drastic change, in my mobility and body image. It’s like you are fighting back for your independence.

From 2011 to now, I am still trying. I had to make necessary changes in my diet. I started eating more natural foods, drinking a lot of water and making fibre foods like wholegrain, nuts and beans a part of my diet.

ping up with clinic dates and taking medication prescribed by a doctor is also a must.” Through it all she continues to put a positive spin on her experience. “Someone once told me that when you are put to lie down it’s because God wants you to look up. God has brought me a long way back and he has been my support system. I also have a 24-year-old son, Sheldon Junior Huggins, who goes out of his way to help me,” she says.

Leslie-Ann refuses to let her circumstances keep her from living her life. “I enjoy cooking, poetry, cleaning and meeting new people. I want people to know that there is life after a stroke and sometimes life can knock you down but you can get back up again. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Do not be distracted by the process, stay focused on your destination of recovery.” And although the challenges may become overwhelming sometimes, Leslie-Ann champions on. “My therapy is ongoing. It is sometimes frustrating because at times all you are seeing is a person who got a stroke and everything that you lost. You are not seeing the progress you are making. There are different types of therapy which include water therapy, acupuncture, messages, walking and exercising. Everything collectively works together but I find water therapy works best for me because it helps me to relax as the instructor makes you do multiple exercises in the water.

Water therapy also allows you put more effort into the exercises as well.” Leslie-Ann’s goal is to become gainfully employed with the United Nations Children’s Fund and travel to Africa, where she intends to teach children. “I am working towards making a full recovery.

People overcoming strokes need to know that not because their body image is altered that they are no longer beautiful.

Our bodies come in different shapes and sizes and your body tells a story, it is nothing to be ashamed of. It shows that you have determination, it tells of your strength. Don’t be ashamed.”