If you need to be inspired to recover that means your doctor and stroke hospital have COMPLETELY FAILED AT GETTING YOU RECOVERED.
The inspirational story of the Surrey stroke survivor who has dedicated his life to helping others
On 1 July 2002, when Surrey man Mark Fricker was aged just 32, he suffered a major stroke whilst riding a motorbike on holiday. At the time Mark was married with a son at the tender age of eight years old.
Talking to us about his journey, Mark said: “I was with a group of friends on holiday riding our motorcycles back from Germany when I collapsed and passed out. I crashed into a friend in front of me and we both fell off at high speed.
“I don’t remember this, in fact, I don’t have any memory for around six months prior to the stroke.
“I remember waking in a small Belgium hospital with a broken right arm and dislocated shoulder and not being able to move my entire left side of my body, I had blurred vision and could hardly talk.
“I was then flown back to the UK and spent some time at St Peter's hospital, it was only then that we discovered I had had a haemorrhage on the brain.
“I spent six weeks in a stroke unit in London before being discharged, still paralysed and unable to walk or use my hands and arms.
“The aftercare for Stroke survivors then, as it still is now, was a 30-minute physio session once a week for six weeks.
“I attended one of these sessions for the first week, realised that it would be nowhere near enough rehabilitation to get me walking again and decided I would research stroke rehab and do it myself.
“I set myself a long term goal of completing an ironman triathlon within five years. I knew I had a long road ahead of me as I couldn’t even stand unaided but was determined I wouldn’t stay in a wheelchair at the age of 32.
“By chance, I made contact with Tm Balchin of ARNI stroke rehabilitation (Action for Neurological Injuries) and with his guidance I started my journey of recovery.”
The journey to recovery for Mark was far from simple, setting aside six hours a day for rehabilitation exercises; at the start, he couldn’t even move his left side at all.
Mark said: “The first time I was able to pick up a marble was when I knew I would overcome my disability, I cried with joy and that one action motivated me more than anything else.
“I spent the next two years working on my rehabilitation for six hours a day, I could eventually walk with a stick, hold a knife and fork and drink from a cup.
“I decided to retrain and went back to university to study sports science and in 2007, five years after my stroke I completed an ironman triathlon.
“I also passed the level three personal training qualifications and set up Destination Fit in 2011 to help others become active and healthy.
“I became an ARNI stroke rehabilitation specialist and am trained in Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis conditions. I wanted to give people hope and to prove to them that with determination and support they can achieve their own personal goals”.
The inspiration to help others
Using his knowledge and passion to help others, Mark then set up Destination Fit with a studio in Weybridge.
In most cases, after someone who suffers a stroke leaves hospital, they are then entitled to six weeks of physiotherapy on the NHS but for many, it is not enough for a full rehabilitation back into their normal lives.
Over the years, Mark and the team at Destination Fit have helped improve the lives of many, covering all ages, backgrounds and conditions, including neurological issues such as Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Mark commented: “With limited NHS aftercare or resources once a stroke survivor has left hospital I wanted to offer help to people who were in the same position that I was and to show them with hard work, determination and a commitment to succeed they can progress towards regaining some of, or all of their lives back.
“I now view my own stroke as a positive moment in my life, I help people walk again which is very rewarding and I feel I have been given this chance in life to help others.
Mark has also set up 'Mark Fricker Neuro Rehab', both operating rehabilitation from the studio and visiting clients in their own homes as this is sometimes easier for them.
Issy is a client that Destination Fit sees twice a week. At the age of nine, Issy suffered a stroke whilst at school leaving her completely paralysed on her right side and with some cognitive issues. Her parents were told that she would never walk again or have the use of her right arm.
Mark has been working with Issy for over 18 months and has worked extraordinarily hard with her to allow her to dance, run and live her life as every ten-year-old should be able to do.
On the other end of the spectrum, Doug is a 71-year-old client of Mark’s who had a stroke 15 years ago. Mark has been seeing Doug for two years now, initially to improve his walking.
Doug and his wife had been looking for a stroke therapist when they found Mark. Doug worked extremely hard and was making improvements with his walking, even managing to walk around his local garden centre which would’ve been unthinkable previously.
Unfortunately, Doug suffered another stroke 10 months ago which affected the other side of his body. His walking became very challenging and even standing was an issue. With determination and commitment, he is now walking with the aid of a stick and has even been back to the garden centre for small walks, a meaningful goal of his.
To find out more about the work that Mark Fricker Neuro Rehab does, click here or contact the team on 07940 439373
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