Atlantic rower praises charity support

1:14pm Friday 26th October 2007

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AN ocean rower who suffered a stroke before Christmas has praised a Worcester charity for its support.

Richard Wood, who has completed solo rows across the Atlantic and raised thousands of pounds for charity, has called on the help of Worcester's Headway charity.

Headway, based in Barbourne, helps people who have suffered a head injury, and it contacted him after he left Worcestershire Royal Hospital earlier this year.

He said: "It is quite a major thing in your life when you come out of hospital. Getting things sorted out is a real challenge. I'm trying to sort out so many things so I can get back to work.

"I have had such a lot of help from Headway, who have come to have a chat with me about how I am and what needs doing."

Mr Wood, aged 50, of Northwick Road, was diagnosed with cerebral artery dissection, a problem in the main artery that goes from the heart to the brain, which caused the blood flow to stop. The stroke has left him unable to use the left side of his body properly.

He said: "Some people need a project manager for when they come out of hospital - someone who has sure knowledge and knows what assistance you need and what applications you can make for help, such as with financial problems and getting back to work.

"With all the forms to fill out it can be quite difficult to know what needs doing and does take such a long time to do."

Mr Wood is now hoping to get a specialised wheelchair.

He said: "That is one of the biggest difficulties, getting back your independence. It's coming to terms with it all, and psychologically it is difficult.

"You have to get to know your identity again. Before, I was a father and an ocean rower. Now my identity is also that I am a disabled person and it's about finding out what that means. It is another challenge, like when I was training for the Atlantic. But this one is a lot harder."

A spokesman for the charity said: "Headway is affiliated to the brain injury association. It's a local charity that supports people with an acquired brain injury. It helps and support clients, clients' families and friends to cope with changes bought on by a brain injury. Headway assists and enables individuals to lead as independent a life as is possible."

For more information about Headway, call 01905 729729.