A fight for survival

From :: Wellington.enquiryhelpline@hcahealthcare.co.uk
Date :: 29 January 2008 10:55:06 GMT
Subject :: CEO
To :: All employees

I am sorry to inform you all that our CEO suffered a major stroke on Friday evening... completely unexpected and we have no knowledge of when, or if, he will return to work...

You don't expect to have a stroke when you are perfectly fit and just over 50. But that's exactly what happened to the Chief Operating Officer of a major clearing bank when, just before Christmas last year, he found himself fighting for survival after a severe stroke.

"I was extremely lucky to have regained my mental faculties, but two weeks after it happened I could hardly stand up, let alone walk.

Within hours of arriving at The Wellington Neuro Rehab Unit we had begun work with physiotherapists and I began with their help and encouragement to work on my first goal. Within days I wanted to be able to walk - just 20 yards or so but I was determined.

My wife and I were treated as part of the team. We set my goals and almost every day I could see progress. Everything was tailored for me - they challenged me constantly. It was very hard, with up to six therapy sessions a day, but I was well looked after psychologically and because my personal motivation was so high, it worked!

I was so glad to get back to work. I thrive on my job - it's almost therapeutic although I did find it difficult for the first couple of weeks.

30% of stroke victims die. I was very lucky and not least because of the care I experienced at The Wellington."

A True Story, names withheld.

THE FACTS

There are at least two major banks in the City who have had to write a similar email in the last 12 months:

Each year 10,000 people under the age of 55 suffer a stroke - 1,000 of these are under the age of 30
Stokes don't have to be a one-way ticket. There are many cases of patients making an almost complete return to life as it was before
The recovery process depends on two key factors; the immediate care given within the first 24 hours and then the subsequent rehabilitation treatment
The Neurological rehabilitation is highly specialist and is provided by a dedicated multidisciplinary team. There is limited provision in the UK by international standards
The Neurological Rehabilitation Unit at The Wellington Hospital is the largest of its kind in the UK and no other private hospital offers a similar facility