I am a Fighter

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I am now a 47 yr old woman who is always ready for anything.  19yrs ago i suffered a Major Stroke just 6 days after giving birth...that was the first time i had to fight for my life.  I spent the first 6 mths of my sons life in hospital & rehab, learning to wash, dress, feed  & walk again with a significant left sided weakness whilst also learning how to look after a newborn when i was stuck in a wheelchair & couldn't use my left arm.  I left rehab in a wheelchair, which i still use occassionally, I now use an elbow crutch & a foot splint to give me support when i walk.  8 years ago i was under the falls clinic at the hospital because i had been having a lot of falls, my left leg/hip was always painfull, i had sciatica down the left lower back & leg.  I mentioned  to the Dr that i had also shrunk 3" in height.  I was sent for an MRI Scan & Spina Bifida Occulta & Tethered Cord Syndrome was diagnosed.  It took a further 3 & half years before i was able to have Untethering Surgery, as i needed to loose weight before they would operate.  I lost 6 stone  & had the surgery in January 2015.  I spent 18 days in hospital relearning to walk (Again) & having my wound dressed daily as i had an infection.  I was discharged to my home on the understanding i came to Outpatients every other day for wound dressings.   I have a bad drop foot from the Stroke & am now on my 5th Splint in 2 yrs to help with the drop & also stop my ankle twisting & causing me to fall.  All in all i am now in a happy place, volunteering at my local Stroke Group & being a Stroke Ambassador.  I had to fight for my life & mobility 19 yrs ago & I had to fight for my mobility (again)  2 yrs ago... I WILL NOT give in....