Support Group

I was in hospital recovering from a stroke for just over two months. I was suffering from dysarthria and left side hemiplegia. I was a total mess. All the health care professionals did a wonderful job looking after the physical aspects of my rehab. However, the emotional health was spiralling on a downward trend. I was becoming depressed and more anxious each day. Sleeping was not an option as I found night time the most challenging. I spent countless nights sitting on the chair next to the bed, playing on my phone, waiting impatiently for the new day to arrive. This lack of sleep had an impact on my rehabilitation which further effected my emotional state.

Fortunately for me, as my anxiety was getting worse, I had a opportunity to meet with another stroke patient’s brother who just happened to have gone through emotional health issues himself. The brief chat triggered a thought process that I was going to get on top of this – but how?

Speaking to other patients in the ward, I realised that I was not alone. Many of them were feeling the same way.

During rehabilitation, a small group of us decided that we would meet one night to discuss how we were feeling. We found an empty area near the lift and the group managed to get there with their wheelchairs, walking sticks and whatever means they required. The group was not just limited to stroke victims. We had amputees, cancer patients – everyone was welcomed. The group ordered BBQ chicken and our first meeting had begun. We laughed…we cried…there was silence… Only one rule to be followed – respect and support each other’s feelings.

The consensus was that the gathering was successful and a second meeting was agreed on. This time the group had doubled. We had friends, parents and partners attending and sharing their feelings. Pizza was ordered. The group continued to talk about their feelings and we all found similarities in each other’s concerns. More meetings were held and more food consumed, as well as each other’s concerns shared. We were all feeling a lot better regarding our plights and we were more positive about how we would address the future.

I remember vividly that during our last meeting, one member of the group stated “I was struggling and I don’t think I would have made it if it wasn’t for this group.” These sentiments were agreed, to different levels, by the whole group.

Even the nurses commented at the improved positivity of the group. Each one of us had other means of combating anxiety & negativity. I used to be on a high every time a friend came to visit and I had the opportunity to leave the ward and go to the downstairs cafe or the outdoors pagoda for fresh air – it was a sense of freedom and normality.

A year later, everyone is making great progress, both physically and emotionally, although still a challenge. The group still chats via the WhatsApp messaging app, and we have caught up from time to time. Life is good! – John Koletti