Read John’s story from our Autumn Appeal 2023
and help us support thousands of Kiwis affected by stroke:
John Gray, 35, a maths teacher from Rotorua, was travelling with his partner in Cambodia when he was hit by a stroke, completely unexpectedly.
Tell us about your stroke.
“I woke up with a tingling in my arm. We were planning to see some elephants that day. My partner had to support me on the walk. I wasn’t in good shape. I remember thinking something was very wrong.”
What happened when you got to the hospital?
“I visited a private hospital in Siem Reap, Cambodia, where I found out I’d had a stroke.
“I’m a young guy and I’m healthy. It never occurred to me that a stroke could happen to someone as young as me.”
What happened after you came back to Aotearoa?
“I spent 12 days at a hospital in Thailand after leaving Cambodia. After flying home, a week in Waikato Hospital, and a night in Rotorua Hospital, before finally returning home.
“I decided to take a year out to focus on my recovery. I took a full immersion Te Reo Māori course. It was great to have that daily focus.”
When did you hear about the Stroke Foundation?
“When I got out of the hospital, my partner suggested I reach out to the Stroke Foundation. My Community Stroke Advisor Vivienne was brilliant. She introduced me to another young guy who had experienced a stroke.
“A lot of the people in my stroke group were older. They were clearly having a harder time recovering. It was cool to meet another young person; to hear his story and share the challenges we were facing.”
How did you adjust after you went back to work?
“I was an accountant before my stroke. I ended up returning to a different firm after completing my full immersion Te Reo Māori course.”
“I made mistakes that I wouldn’t normally have made. The stress, and looking at a screen all day, just became too much. I struggled when I returned to work but Rachelle, my Return-to-Work Advisor from the Stroke Foundation, was amazing.
“She helped me by emphasising the importance of regular rest and being straight up with your employers about how you’re feeling, and the invisible symptoms of stroke.”
“I’m a young guy and I’m healthy. It never occurred to me that a stroke could happen to someone as young as me.”
John Gray
Do you think you went back to work too early?
“It’s hard to know you’re not doing a good job even though you’re trying your best. In hindsight, I wish I’d been braver. I shouldn't have returned to work as an accountant, but it was all I knew and it was the default option.
“If we had more of a safety net, I might have spent more time thinking about what was right for me at that time, but that financial pressure was certainly there.”
How are you doing now?
“I’m doing well. I work as a maths teacher at my old high school now. I’m in the final year of my postgraduate teacher training through Ako Mātātupu. I really enjoy the relationships with the kids. It can be hard at times but it’s nice to take the focus away from money and towards helping people.”
Thank you, John, for sharing your story with us!
Click below to read our Autumn newsletter, or support thousands of Kiwis affected by stroke – like John – by making a donation today!
