A Nottinghamshire mum has spoken of the financial difficulties she faces after suffering a stroke that almost killed her.
Sam Hodson, of Newark, who had her stroke in November 2018 when she was just 41, has faced "serious financial hardship" ever since.
While getting ready in her bedroom to meet a close friend, Sam began noticing a tingling sensation in her face and a feeling of spreading numbness down her body.
After sitting down, Sam began to lose the use of her arms and could no longer stand or even speak properly.
Sam managed to alert her son Jamie, 15, and daughter Mia, 13, who were luckily in the house and she was rushed to A&E at Lincoln County Hospital where doctors began Thrombolysis treatment to try and break down the clot that had led to her stroke.
The mum's stroke was caused by a hole in her heart. She said doctors told her that she was minutes away from the treatment being too late.
She has been left with aphasia, whole left side weakness and major fatigue, among other symptoms, and has been unable to return to working with adults with special needs. She is hoping to go back to her job in the future if she recovers well enough.
Sam, 41, said: “At the time of my stroke I remember thinking, ‘I’m going to die’ it was the most terrifying moment of my life. I lost feeling in my left side and collapsed in my room when I tried to stand up.
"It was like a dark cloud coming over me and was terrifying. I am only here because my kids saved my life and called the ambulance.
"While my recovery has been good physically, I suffer from extreme anxiety and depression and I always have the fear of having another stroke.
"The financial hit we have had has taken its toll. I have fears of losing the house. We have gone from two wages to one - my husband Kevin's wage."
“Financial struggles have definitely hindered my recovery, especially with having a family and a mortgage.
"Things are so much worse after my sick pay period ended, more needs to be done to help families in this situation.
"I am fearful that any stress won't help with my recovery and could lead to further complications from my stroke.
“The waiting time for any help is ridiculous. I seriously think the government needs to look into help for people after sudden illnesses like a stroke."
Mrs Hodson's comments come after figures published by the Stroke Association reveal that 43 percent of stroke survivors across the UK, aged under 65, are faced with financial hardship after their stroke.
The charity’s findings reveal that more than 125,000 stroke survivors have experienced a loss of income, faced discrimination at work and in some cases, have been forced to sell their home to pay for medical expenses.
Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association, said: “Life changes instantly after a stroke, and the condition can have a huge cost, not only to people’s finances, but also to their health, independence and relationships.
"But not enough people realise the wider impacts that stroke can bring. Overnight, a partner becomes a carer. A breadwinner becomes jobless.
“These latest figures show that many stroke survivors are facing a life on the edge of poverty; many have had to give up work, and in some cases, face discrimination from their employers.
"This comes at a time when financial worries should be the last thing on their minds.”
Angela Matthews, head of policy & advice at the Business Disability Forum, added: “Soon after a stroke, a survivor has to navigate how different their body feels, the changed pace at which their body needs to work, and learn to adjust to doing things in new ways.
"All of this often happens in the background while needing to return to work so that personal finances are affected as little as possible.
"Stroke survivors might not be able to return to the same job they did before, but they can sometimes return to some type of work, albeit different to what they used to do.
“The worrying 51 percent who have given up work following a stroke means employers are losing valuable, experienced talent."
A DWP spokesman added: “We’re committed to ensuring that disabled people and those with health conditions get the full support that they are entitled to, and over 48,000 people who have survived a stroke are receiving PIP.
“Decisions for PIP are made following consideration of all the information provided by the individual and their GP or medical specialist.”
