Loss 32/101: Loss of physical ability after a stroke: Peter Ellis

#047. Peter had big plans for his retirement. But within months of his career ending, while gardening at the Georgian house he was renovating with his husband, he felt a pain like a bee sting shoot up his arm. This turned out to be the first sign of a massive stroke which would see his retirement dreams being cruelly torn away.This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief and to see if hope can be found in 101 different types of loss.Loss #32 of 101 - Loss of physical ability after a strokeIn March 2018, not long after he’d retired, Peter Ellis from Norfolk, England, was in the garden when he felt the effects of the start of a massive stroke caused by a brain bleed. Peter spent six months in hospital and is still continuing rehab four years later. Despite regaining some mobility he still suffers with paralysis of the left side of his body which impacts his mouth, left arm, and foot. He's also been diagnosed with epilepsy and has had falls resulting in fractures of the hip, pelvis and shoulder. And because a stroke affects the brain it can change emotions and behaviour too, and Peter also has to deal with emotionalism, which results in bouts of crying. Something he rarely did before the stroke. Peter has faced an enormous amount of loss and is still coming to terms with, not only the physical abilities he’s lost but also the loss of his retirement plans and dreams, loss of independence and loss of control. Peter’s experience is a challenging one, especially for any driven, motivated man with big plans for their retirement. Peter, and his husband Duncan, were looking forward to renovating their Georgian house together, and Peter has also had to watch the effect his stroke has had on the life of his partner too as he cares for him at home. This conversation is an honest look at how a stroke can impact someone’s life and the complicated list of losses that follow. Peter is using writing as a way of processing this journey through his blog, and is relearning the joy of small achievements and a new appreciation for those with disabilities that he’d previously cared for himself. It’s a testament to how even in some of our darkest days there are still some things that just insist on rising to the surface to get our attention, and it’s not just hope (like we focus on on the podcast), but faith, love, and a sense of humour. To read more about Peter’s story and follow his blog visit: https://www.mystrokejourney.health.blog  Send us Fan MailSupport the show-----thesilentwhy.com  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  LinkedIn What's a Herman? / Buy a Herman - thehermancompany.comSupport the show: buymeacoffee.com/thesilentwhySign-up to my mailing list (only used for sharing news occasionally!): thesilentwhy.com/newsletterHow to talk to the grieving:  thesilentwhy.com/post/howtotalktothegrievingReview the show: Apple Podcasts  |  Spotify  |  GoodpodsEpisode transcripts: thesilentwhy.buzzsprout.comThank you for listening.