Dad was made redundant a week after life-changing stroke

Adrian Day, from Fearnhead, was made redundant from the job he loved just days after his discharge from hospital following a bleed on the brain.

He is sharing his story as he wants to show others that there is hope after suffering a stroke.

It also coincides with a new survey by the charity Stroke Association, which has revealed that 18 per cent of north west stroke survivors lost their job as a direct result.

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In May 2020, Adrian, 61, began to feel lightheaded and could not feel his left arm or leg.

Luckily, his wife noticed a slight droop in his face and called 999, explaining she suspected that he was having a stroke.

An ambulance was on the drive in ten minutes and Adrian was able to give paramedics as much information as possible on the way to the hospital thanks to him being conscious and lucid throughout.

A CT scan soon revealed his stroke had been caused by a bleed on the brain, and he would spend three days at Whiston Hospital before being transferred to Warrington Hospital.

Incredibly however, just one week after his stroke, Adrian received more worrying news from his manager regarding his job as an international development manager.

“On May 21, exactly one week after my stroke and still paralysed, my boss emailed me to say that I would be redundant from May 31,” he said.

“The world was at the start of a global pandemic, the UK was in lockdown, I had suffered a stroke, I was paralysed and had just lost my job – I could not believe what was happening.”

Despite these monumental setbacks, Adrian has stayed determined in his recovery and is getting his life back on track.

He began intensive sessions of physio and occupational therapy while setting himself the goal of walking out of hospital by his 61st birthday and to be able to walk his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day in 2023.

Now back at home and continuing his rehabilitation, Adrian wants to show others that there is hope after stroke.

Adrian Day was made redundant a week after suffering a life-changing stroke

“While I accept that I will not be the person I was before the stroke, I am determined that it will not be the final chapter in my life,” he continued.

“I want to get another job, I have even had a few interviews and I want to drive again too.

“I have never felt depressed or asked myself ‘why me’, and I actually consider myself lucky as haemorrhagic stroke kills more often than not, but I am still around to tell my story.

“I am also still here for my wife and daughters, and I hope all of that brings inspiration and hope to other stroke survivors.”

Adrian is not alone in having his life turned upside down after suffering a stroke, a survey of 3,500 survivors by the Stroke Association has revealed ahead of World Stroke Day on October 29.

In the north west, three per cent said having a stroke led to them losing their homes.

Moreover, 12 per cent said it had a negative impact on their relationship with their partner, with five per cent of relationships ending.

The survey is part of a renewed call for vital funds to help the charity give more survivors hope after their stroke and help them to rebuild their lives.

Jennifer Gardner, associate director for the north west, added: said: “Every five minutes, someone in the UK will have a stroke, and in a flash their life is changed.

“The physical impact of a stroke is severe, but for many, the emotional aspects of coming to terms with having a stroke are just as significant.

“As the research makes clear, finding hope is a crucial part of the recovery process, and without it, recovery can seem impossible.

“With 1.3million people and rising in the UK now living with the effects of a stroke, our services have never been more stretched.

“We urgently require the support of the public to help us continue to support stroke survivors to rebuild their lives.”

If you would like to donate, visit stroke.org.uk/hopeafterstroke