New Stroke Self-help Support Group

on 31 December 2024.

I would like to introduce myself and give you some information about my reasons for starting this group. My name is Maureen, and I moved to Spain 3 years ago. I feel there is a need for the group because as far as I’m aware there is nothing else in the local area and I just wish that in my early days of surviving a stroke there had been a group close to me that I could have reached out to for support.

The inspiration behind the group is my own experience of suffering a stroke and dealing with the different departments across the medical profession when feeling very vulnerable, lonely, anxious and needing reassurance. Also to recognise the invisible and emotional struggles which can be just as debilitating as the visible ones and knowing that reaching out for help can be overwhelming. In addition, I hope it helps people to share their problems with others who understand.
I was a healthy professional business lady and during an eye test the optometrist, thought I had had a stroke because I had lost the sight in my left eye. (I was not aware of this because my right eye over compensated).
The optician immediately referred me to a stroke consultant at my local hospital the next day. After an examination he said he was certain I had not had a stroke but would like to run further tests which included an ECG, and an MRI scan.
At the end of a long day, he could confirm that I had not had a stroke but felt certain that I had a Brain Tumour lying behind the optic nerve of my left eye and consequently was referred to a neurology hospital.
I had a consultation with the neurologist and after extensive tests it was confirmed I had a meningioma tumour. It was surgically removed with a craniotomy which went as planned although the tumour was not completely removed.
During recovery I had a stroke which had affected my speech. However, I recovered and went back home.
Subsequently I had a major stroke on the left side of my body and as I deteriorated it was established that I had also contracted bacterial meningitis.
I was immediately taken to theatre for the 2nd craniotomy to have the meningitis flushed out of my brain which resulted in intravenous antibiotics, a blood transfusion and an induced coma and several months on a hospital ward, eventually being transferred to a rehabilitation unit for physiotherapy to build up my wasted muscles and to learn to walk.
In due course I returned home where I suddenly developed a large lump on my left temple, and it was confirmed that the bone flap which covered my brain was infected. Once again, I had to have surgery on my brain to remove the bone flap.
Then after a couple of months I underwent a cranioplasty to insert a plastic plate to protect my brain.
I would not be alive today managing my disabilities from my strokes and meningitis if I had not received the help from the NHS and The Stroke Team.
As a new group the activities will be flexible and can be adapted to meet the needs of members based upon their own feedback and experiences.
I hope the group can achieve a feeling of belonging and offer hope to stroke survivors that their life as they knew it is not over, rather it is heading in a new direction.
If you think this could be for you, please come along to our group on Tuesdays, 11am at The Bar, Guardamar Park (Rincon da Luna). CV920, 2.5km, Guardamar del Segura, 03140 or contact me, - Maureen Powell, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0044 7912 947098.