Hi there!!... Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page and finding out a little bit more about who I am running the Cardiff Half for and why..... 

As some of you may know, my Nan suffered a massive stroke in March earlier this year which has had a significant impact on her life as well as the close family and friends around her. 

After a night in Resuscitation, a further 12 long weeks spent in various hospitals and on a stroke rehabilitation ward, we were lucky enough to welcome her back into the place that my Nan and Grandad have called home for over 40 years. Of course, this was not without the astonishing fight in my Nan, the help of the amazing teams within the NHS and undoubtedly, the incredible support team of our humungous Flowers family network. 

It’s easy for us to forget about what comes after Physio, after Speech Therapy, after Occupational Therapy and all the other elements that go into the recovery. However, you don’t stop being a Stroke victim the minute you leave the hospital - this goes for my Nan and our entire family. This is just the beginning of another difficult journey that we are still so lucky to be able to embark on, as we still have our Nan. 

Unfortunately, some families are not as lucky as we have been. Wether that be not being able to welcome their loved one home at all, or if they are unable to go back to the place they call home and have to have care elsewhere. 

A stroke is something that strips away all of your capabilities and you have to re-learn how to do things again and unfortunately, some of which may never be re-learned. It’s a completely undignifying experience for the majority - something that nobody should have to go through, but with the help of charities such as the Stroke Association, stroke victims and their families are given the ability to adapt to normal life again when sometimes it can feel anything BUT normal - whatever their situation is. You can regain confidence, a sense of community, even make friends with people you may have never met before, but most importantly (in my opinion) regain self esteem. 

Although the Stroke Association is not an organisation my Nan or family have yet used, I believe that this is a charity that can genuinely give people the help they may need to start the new chapter of their lives and learn to live again.

If you can help me make the tiniest bit of difference by dragging my lazy bones round 13 miles of Cardiff to raise money for this cause, any donation would be greatly appreciated. And if I can make my Nan half as proud as she’s made me, I’ll be a happy gal! 

Thank you in advance! And wish me luck! 

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