In December 2021, what began as a day of not feeling well quickly escalated, and soon Terry found himself in the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with a stroke caused by a clot in his brain. As if that wasn’t enough, further tests revealed that his heart was not functioning properly. Within the same month, Terry underwent open-heart surgery.
Terry spent the next three months in the hospital. During this terrifying time, he endured two days in a coma, lost the ability to speak, and couldn’t move. He also lost 4 stone in body weight, leaving him weak and fragile.
After about a month of therapy, Terry began to regain some movement and speech with the help of a speech therapist and physiotherapist. However, his time in therapy was cut short, and he was discharged in February 2022, with a long road to recovery still ahead.
Discovering The Rainbow Centre
In March 2023, Terry found The Rainbow Centre. By this time, he had made some progress in his recovery, but he was still struggling with balance, coordination, and confidence. Everyday tasks like cooking, shaving, writing, and using cutlery were still a challenge, and crowded spaces made him anxious, especially when shopping or walking around people.
Terry had a few goals in mind when he began attending The Rainbow Centre:
– To improve his balance
– To build his strength
– To be able to turn and change direction while walking with better control
– To gain confidence in new activities and challenges
His girlfriend also hoped that Conductive Education (CE) sessions at the centre would help Terry improve his concentration and allow him to walk longer distances.
Progress and Transformation
After attending regular weekly CE sessions, Terry noticed improvements in his strength, walking, coordination, and confidence in just a few sessions. His upper body strength increased, allowing him to carry shopping bags and lift boxes more easily. Everyday tasks like cooking and shaving became manageable again, and his writing improved significantly, allowing him to write at his own pace.
With stronger legs and better balance, Terry began walking longer distances without tiring as quickly as before. He now walks from home to The Rainbow Centre and back, even after an intense two-hour session. He also gained the confidence to walk on steep surfaces and, after months of struggling, was able to climb stairs again.
One of Terry’s biggest goals was to drive confidently again. With improved control and coordination in his arms and legs, and a renewed ability to concentrate, Terry now feels safe and comfortable behind the wheel.
A New Lease on Life
Terry’s speech and confidence have improved so much that he now socialises more, and his anxiety in crowds has decreased. He enjoys life again, having recently taken a summer cruise with his family. He and his girlfriend have also bought a house together and are excited about their future.
From facing a 50-50 chance of survival and uncertainty about the future, Terry has transformed into a positive, life-loving person.
Terry shares,
“I honestly think The Rainbow Centre saved my life. I was apprehensive when I first came in, but the people—participants and staff—are so nice and easy to get on with here. They are patient with me, which makes my confidence go up. I am so glad I started here. I am never going to leave this place!”
