‘Seeing the role reverse with my children was wrenching’: Stroke survivor on the long road to recovery

A father who felt like he had “everything taken” from him after he had a stroke has spoken about his recovery, to show other survivors that getting better is possible.

Sports development manager and father-of-six Augustus Peters, from Grove Hill, Lewisham, never expected he would have a stroke. 

The 53-year-old recalled the unusual physical sensations – involuntary movement of his left leg and a deteriorating ability to stand or walk – that came over him one morning before work.

He said: “I remember waking up and feeling terrible. I couldn’t put my finger on what was going on, but I knew something wasn’t right. I was due to be at work – I had to tell them I was too unwell to come in. 

“I’m glad I didn’t attempt to drive my car as it could have been a whole different situation.”

Mr Peters, an active runner, cyclist and qualified taekwondo instructor, distinctly remembers wondering if he was having a stroke.

He said: “When I finally managed to get myself standing up, I had to use the wall and furniture to support myself. I remember thinking: ‘am I having a stroke?’ 

“I got to the bathroom and looked at my face in the mirror. My mouth looked okay and I could lift my arm. I dismissed the stroke but was getting increasingly concerned with how I was feeling.”

Mr Peters was with a friend at the time who took him to Lewisham Hospital. But when he got to the reception desk he slumped over and fell unconscious.

The team at Lewisham Hospital immediately told Mr Peters that he was experiencing a stroke and took him to King’s College Hospital for further treatment.

An MRI scan revealed evidence of two clots deep in his brain, as well as multiple small trauma lesions.

Mr Peters said: “The stroke left me with weakness down the left side of my body. It affected my vision and I noticed my slight stutter had got a lot worse.”

He stayed in hospital for a week before returning home to continue his recovery, which included physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Initially his sudden helplessness prompted feelings of confusion and desperation, and raised difficult questions.

Mr Peters said: “Life felt like it had been turned upside down within an instant. I felt like the stroke had taken everything from me. One of the biggest battles I had was wondering how long it would be until I felt like myself again. 

“I felt like my personality had changed. I had become harsh and emotional, which I know is common after a stroke but is so confusing and hard to wrap your head around.”

But when his friend told him that he can only be defined by the things he loves, not by the stroke, Mr Peter’s decided to channel his emotions into recovery.

He said: “I had three main goals. I wanted to be able to run, cycle and swim. In three months, I completed each of those goals.”

But it wasn’t easy – physically or mentally. Mr Peters remembers the first time he tried to jog on the spot after his stroke.

He said: “I physically couldn’t do it. I couldn’t remember how to. I stood in the gym and cried.

“I’ve always been a runner, why couldn’t I do it? The next day I went back to the gym and worked on completing the tasks.”

Another challenging aspect of his recovery, Mr Peter’s said, was becoming more reliant on others, including his children.

He said: “I remember walking to the shops with my 13-year-old son and relying on him to help us cross the road, do the shopping, get us back home – all things I would have naturally and always done as his dad. 

“Seeing the role reverse with my children was wrenching. But I’m determined to get stronger, fitter and embrace who I am now.”

Ultimately, Mr Peters describes his stroke as a “wake-up call”, which has led him to prioritise his health more than ever.

He said: “Since having my stroke, I realised that my blood pressure was high, and looking back there were warning signs of this – like headaches.”

Now preparing to phase himself back into work, Mr Peters said he is looking forward to the challenge and being able to share his message.

He said: “I want to not only raise awareness but be there for other stroke survivors, and give others hope.”

Pictured top: Augustus Peters is using his story to show other survivors that getting better is possible (Picture: Augustus Peters)