Meet Pete

Peter experienced his first Stroke in April 2022, followed by a series of three strokes within a four-week period.  During his stay in hospital, he was struck down by immune-impacting infections and a five months stay in hospital followed.

“After four strokes and three infections, my Dad as lay in a hospital bed for nearly six months.  We couldn’t even take him outside, so he didn’t see daylight for three months”, Kristy recalls. “He was extremely poorly.  He became someone I didn’t know – he was aggressive, frenzied and there were times where he had to be restrained”, Cheryl added.  He pulled his cannulas out and was refusing food, which left his family worried and feeling helpless.  After five months, Peter’s condition was more stable and he was finally allowed to return home, but was receiving 1-1 care, with four daily visits from carers and having to rely on a hoist to move around.

After realising there would be a 12 weeks wait for NHS physiotherapy, Kristy and her family started researching other rehabilitation options as an add-on therapy.  They knew that Peter needed specialist neurological physiotherapy, which is when they contacted Physio Matters.

Physio Matters first met Peter in October 2022 and have been working with him since then.  “Since the word go, they were so positive and honest with us.  They’ve always been so welcoming to us and the progress that Peter has made with them really spurs him on”, Cheryl said.

The Physio Matters team started with an initial assessment of Peter’s mobility.  Initially the physiotherapists helped him to make transitions: things like moving from a chair to his bed and being able to get out of the car to his wheelchair.  They took him through exercises to strengthen his affected lower limb and currently they’re helping him to improve his balance and navigate obstacles so he can move around with more ease, independently.  Over the past year, Peter’s mobility has gradually progressed; the distance and quality of his walking has improved.  He’s seen cognitive improvements too – his ability to follow instructions without a demonstration is much better.

Cheryl and Kristy cared for Peter at home, with Kristy giving up work to help.  “From seeing my Dad spending hours just trying to lift his foot a couple of centimetres off the ground, to seeing what he can do now, we feel extremely lucky.  The team have helped my Dad be able to get in and out of the car with some help – just this small change provides massive help and independence for him and us”.  Because of the progress that Peter has made, Kristy felt more comfortable going back to work in April this year.  He’s now able to walk from room to room in his house and can even have a shower, both with assistance from his family.

“I can’t tell you the pleasure I feel for my parents.  Its increased my mental wellbeing, which has a direct impact on my kids and everyone around me”.