Stroke

Tracy, who was 46 at the time, attended British Military Fitness (BMF) classes four times a week – and it was at one of these classes when her stroke struck in 2016. 
Tracy said: “I was at BMF in a park at Leeds, when I started feeling funny and the floor looked blurry. I sat down and my whole left hand side went weak and I started slurring her speech.”
Thankfully, being at an organised event, paramedics were nearby and suspected Tracy was having a stroke. After attending hospital and confirming this, doctors gave Tracy Thrombolysis drugs to address the blood clot. She went on to spend five days in hospital in Leeds and later Manchester.
“It was quite surreal coming out of hospital, I had no idea what was going on, I was confused as to what had happened,” she recalled. 
Tracy was still very weak on her left side and had to have support to walk. Her speech was slurred, which took a short time to come back, and she spent most of the days resting.
Despite feeling lucky in her recovery, it was the loss of attending BMF and the social life this gave her that has had the biggest effect on Tracy and her mental health.
“I had made a load of friends at BMF, we were a family and doing exercise made me feel so good. I was someone who did a lot of exercise but then I just couldn’t do what I used to,” she said. 
“The coaches always want me to come back but I know the pace is now far too much for me. I still think about the classes all the time and I want to go but my body just lets me down – that’s really affected me mentally.” The Stroke Association and Buzz Bingo are working together in a three-year partnership to help combat loneliness and isolation felt by so many people like Tracy. “Bingo has really been a God send, it’s my night out. Me and my daughter now go which is my ‘me time’ and we really enjoy it,” said Tracy.
“I also now have a personal trainer who knows me really well and he knows what I’m capable of and what I can’t do. I struggle with it even though I really want to do it. 

“Some days I really don’t want to get out of bed, it all depends on how I feel mentally but I’m persevering.”
As part of the partnership launch, radio and TV legend Chris Tarrant – himself a stroke survivor – and son Toby hosted a Bingo event for stroke survivors.
Chris Tarrant said: “Eight years ago, completely out of the blue I had a life-changing stroke. It was incredibly frightening and it made me realise how fragile life is. 
“I know how scary and tough life after a stroke can be, so I was shocked to learn that so many stroke survivors spend less time
with their loved ones and many have given up their hobbies.
“Having the support of my family and friends was crucial to my recovery and spending more time on the things I love really helped my wellbeing. I’m so grateful to have had such fantastic love and support from those close to me but I know this isn’t always the case for everyone, which is why I would encourage you all if you can, to find your passion again or enjoy a new hobby.”
Saul Heselden, head of corporate partnerships at Stroke Association, said: “Stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK and changes lives in an instant. 
“Stroke has many impacts, some are visible whilst others are hidden, but the effects are equally devastating and can become obstacles to recovery. Many stroke survivors stop seeing family and friends or are forced to give up their hobbies, this may be as a result of struggling with their confidence or mental health or due to fatigue. 
“Socialising and enjoying previously loved hobbies are really important to mental health after a stroke. Without this stroke survivors can lose their confidence, hampering their well-being and potentially leaving them without a sense of purpose and identity.
“We are excited to announce our new partnership with Buzz Bingo which will help to raise vital funds for much-needed specialist support, research and campaigning and will go a long way in supporting more stroke survivors to live the best possible life after a stroke.”
Mark Fletcher, head of brand communications at Buzz Bingo, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the Stroke Association and to help raise awareness of the isolation and loneliness many stroke survivors experience. 
“Over the next three years we aim to raise £200,000 for the Stroke Association, through special events and fundraising initiatives, like our event with Chris and Toby Tarrant. As part of the partnership, we will also be working closely with the charity to provide volunteering opportunities for our colleagues and train them to better understand stroke and its impact.”