BARRIE’S CHALLENGE
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Stroke survivors are confronted by overwhelming difficulties they would never have predicted for themselves. Barrie Hadfield is one stroke survivor who, with help from his family and the Stroke Foundation, has risen to the immense challenges stroke can bring. After experiencing a stroke last year, he’s back at work and even entered the 8.4km Auckland Round the Bays virtual fun run to raise funds for the Stroke Foundation’s services.
On a Sunday morning in June last year, Barrie experienced a stroke.
“I woke up feeling dizzy but just thought it was vertigo, then I went to use my phone and I couldn’t unlock my screen. Being a bit of a bloke about it, I didn’t want to admit that something might be wrong, but I started to panic because it was such a strange sensation. My wife, Alison, noticed that my face had dropped a bit, a clear warning sign for stroke, so took me to the hospital to get checked out.”
Barrie received the usual tests and everything appeared to be normal, so he was sent home the next day. He went back to his job and soldiered on, but he knew something was wrong. Weeks later, it was finally discovered that Barrie had a hole in his heart, which had caused his blood to clot and had led to several strokes. He underwent surgery, but just nine days later he experienced a heart attack.
“It was an overwhelmingly hard time in my life. I was back and forth to hospital a lot, and as someone who hadn’t needed to see their GP for the past 15 years, it was all pretty daunting. I felt weak, and had intense anxiety. Any time I coughed or had a headache I thought I was going to experience another stroke, and honestly, I was scared to close my eyes at night.”
Barrie was connected to two of our staff, Community Stroke Advisor (CSA) Lorna and Return to Work Advisor Rachelle. They gave Barrie free professional support, and the tools he needed to recover.
“When Alison and I first met Lorna and Rachelle, we couldn’t believe our luck. They immediately made us both feel better, and they helped us to understand what was happening. We also worked together to set goals that would help me to get back on my feet. One of those was getting back into work, which was really important to me. I felt so much more supported with the help of the Stroke Foundation, and for the first time I felt like there was a way forward.”
Barrie has also embraced opportunities the Stroke Foundation offers, such as group meetings where stroke survivors can share their experiences.
“My son and I went to a recent stroke seminar in Auckland, and it was pretty emotional for us hearing other stroke survivors talk about what had happened to them. Many shared how they felt that stroke is such a difficult challenge to overcome because it’s an ‘invisible’ disease. Of course, everyone’s stroke recovery is a very personal journey, but I think the Stroke Foundation can help you get around it. I’ve learnt to stay positive and keep fighting.”
After the Christmas break, Barrie achieved his major goal of returning to work for three days a week. Not only that, but Barrie and his son signed up for Auckland Round the Bays to fundraise for the Stroke Foundation! While the event itself was cancelled due to the change in COVID-19 Alert Levels, the pair aim to complete the 8.4km as part of the virtual initiative.
“Walking 8.4kms was a great goal for us to slowly work towards. We were amazed and so grateful for all the people who got behind our cause as well. Having the support of my family and the Stroke Foundation really gave me the strength to rise to the challenge and get back to living the life I want.”
Thank you, Barrie, for sharing your experience to inspire other stroke survivors, as well as encouraging awareness and support for the Stroke Foundation’s life-changing services!
WHEN ALISON AND I FIRST MET LORNA AND RACHELLE, WE COULDN’T BELIEVE OUR LUCK. THEY IMMEDIATELY MADE US BOTH FEEL BETTER, AND THEY HELPED US TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING.