AS the nation marked Stroke Awareness Week, Evening News reporter Emma Cullwick talked to 48-year-old Chris Hindle about his brave battle to rebuild his life after suffering two major strokes and numerous minor ones.

AT the age of 45, Chris Hindle was the picture of health. He did not smoke, ate healthy food and limited himself to four pints of beer a week.

In fact, when he started suffering severe headaches he took the first trip to his GP in years and was convinced he just had a virus.

Chris, of Mayflower Road, Droitwich, was unaware that his life was about to change beyond recognition.

He had his first major stroke in July, 2000, then another just over a year later, in November, 2001.

Of his first stroke Chris, now 48, said: "The worst thing for me was the fact that the stroke had an effect on my memory.

"When I was about to be discharged from hospital I wanted to write a thank you card.

"Because my speech was affected, it took all my effort just trying to get the nurse to understand that I wanted her to buy me a card and pen, which was frustrating enough as it was.

"But I remember picking up the pen and suddenly realising that I couldn't remember how to read or write. It was like reverting to childhood, like being a baby again. Absolutely terrifying and shocking at the same time."

But Chris was determined not to let the stroke ruin his life, and spent months in gruelling sessions of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy at the Princess of Wales Hospital, in Bromsgrove.

Chris, who is married to Jean, 48, and has two daughters Victoria, 23, and Natalie, 21, and a stepdaughter Gemma, 18, said: "The staff there were excellent, such an inspiration. If it wasn't for what they did for me I'm certain my quality of life would not be as it is today."

Despite the fact that Chris, a sheet metal worker before the strokes, will never be able to work again, cannot drive a car and had to give up his biggest passion, Parson Jack Russell dog showing and breeding, he remains upbeat.

He goes to college once a week to learn to read and write, and attends a computer class.

He can now walk, with the aid of a stick, although he is still partially paralysed down his right hand side and has a problem with his speech and memory.

Chris added: "I see some other people who have had strokes just give up on themselves and life, but there is no way I am going to do that.

"My message to anyone who has suffered a stroke would be to not give up, be determined, and live and enjoy every day as it comes."

Chris attends the Worcester Dysphasia Support Group, run by The Stroke Association and last Thursday, he helped promote Stroke Awareness Week.

The week ended on Sunday, and highlighted the fact that by eating a rainbow of different coloured fruits and vegetables it is possible to reduce the risk of a stroke.

The Dysphasia Support Group is held every Thursday, from 10am to 12pm, at Rushwick Village Hall and once every fortnight, on a Monday, at the same time, at the Acquired Brain Injury Unit, Evesham College.

For more information call dysphasia support organiser Sharon Bouston, on 01885 482 485.

Clearing up more than one matter

Would you be surprised if you came for acupuncture for help with a sports injury, and a seemingly unrelated problem such as your road rage cleared up?

When using acupuncture most people find that, in addition to their present problem showing a significant improvement, other longstanding problems, often unnoticed due to familiarity, clear up as well.

Not only is this welcomed greatly when experienced, it also expands our notion of what is involved in health, and on a more personal level, who we are as individuals.

Typically for people who seek help with physical complaints, their disposition and outlook improves, and for those who seek help with mental and emotional complaints, peripheral physical complaints such as their bowels or general immunity improve as well.

This is often extended further as we begin to become aware of health not only as an absence of pain or distress, but a positive state of being.

In starting this monthly column for Worcestershire's readers, I thought I would tell Gerry's story, who chose acupuncture to help with back pain that was triggered by a recent sports injury, and who also reported stiffness in a number of joints from a motor accident 10 years previously.

These symptoms have significantly improved over the four sessions Gerry has had so far, which indicates a positive prognosis for a lasting and significant change. But in addition, Gerry's road rage has practically disappeared.

Hardly mentioned during his initial 90 minute consultation, it is the one thing that has perhaps caught our imagination most during Gerry's sessions and failed to be dislodged even during an intense three-day stint driving around London last week, his now "chilled" state of mind persisting.

Such a response is not unique when using acupuncture and I shall be reporting more such cases.

I shall also be bringing you news of the latest research into acupuncture.

I will also be answering readers' questions about acupuncture, so please forward any to wenedit@thisisworcester.co.uk.

Paul Hougham, Holyrood Acupuncture Practice, 01684 566890.