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Andrew Reynolds

@mythrowingarmstopped

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I had a stroke in June ‘23. Right arm paralysis. 3 years on, I’m competing against able-bodied World Champions using that arm. Let me show you how…

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Just thought I’d introduce myself and my reason for being on here, for those that would rather not trawl through my grid to find out. I hope it’s interesting and informative. Feel free to reach out if you want to ask more, or share with others that are in (or know someone that’s in) a similar position. Thanks for watching 🙂
#strokesurvivor #youngstrokesurvivor #hemiparesis #braininjury #brainhaemorrhage taken in England, UK by @mythrowingarmstopped

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2 months ago

Day 2 - No movement, coordination or sensation. Just intermittent twitching. taken in Acute Neurology Unit, Salford Royal by @mythrowingarmstopped

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3 years ago

Day 1093 - I was going to save this until Monday, which will be three years to the day since my stroke, but I’m too proud to wait until then.
Yes, I’m proud of myself. We’re seemingly conditioned not to be too proud - pride comes before a fall etc - but I don’t really care.
That stone (a naturally occurring stone btw) travelled 70 metres and would have kept on going, if Sefton Park boating lake had been a bit bigger.
This is what three years of hard work, determination and belief brings. 70m is further than anyone skimmed in last year’s world championships. Ok, ok, conditions are different, nerves play a part. I get all that. But I’m still proud of myself.
From paralysis to performance.
Credit to @joefernster @jermaine_radio from @bbcmerseyside for capturing it on camera and being kind enough to share the footage with me, and thanks to @liverpoolstoneskimmingsociety as always for arranging the meets and making it all happen 💪
@worldstoneskimmingchampionship @differentstrokesuk #strokesurvivor #strokerecovery #youngstrokesurvivor #hemiparesis #stoneskimming taken in Sefton Park Boating Lake by @mythrowingarmstopped

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4 months ago

🧠☕ THYME FOR TEA ☕🧠

If you’re a younger or working-age stroke survivor in the North West, this is definitely worth checking out. ❤️

📅 Tuesday 20th October
⏰ 5pm–7pm
📍 96 Church Street, Westhoughton, Bolton BL5 3RZ

The evening is all about bringing younger and working-age stroke survivors together for a chance to meet people who understand what life after stroke can actually be like.

Zoe and Andy, who are both young stroke survivors themselves, will be sharing their own experiences and recovery journeys.

There’ll be time to have a brew, chat, ask questions or just listen. There’s no pressure to speak or get involved if you don’t feel comfortable. ❤️

The hope is that this can become a regular North West stroke support group, giving people the chance to connect with others who really do understand.

They’re also open to people who might like to get involved as volunteers in the future. There’ll be an opportunity to chat to them about this on the night.

🎟️ There are a limited number of seats available, so if you’d like to go, make sure you book your place.

👉 Book your free place through Eventbrite:
Book your place here⁠https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/north-west-stroke-support-group-tickets-2002663884589?aff=oddtdtcreator

If you know someone who might benefit from this, tag them or share this post with them. ❤️

Sometimes just meeting someone who gets it can make such a difference.

There is life after stroke. 🫶

#strokesurvivor #youngstrokesurvivor #StrokeSupport #differentstrokes # by @mythrowingarmstopped

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11 days ago

Day 1205 - and recently I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Hannah Pearce from @neuroreturnn

NEURO Return is a virtual neurorehab service supporting people after a mild stroke or brain injury to confidently return to meaningful activities — from hiking and shopping to getting back to the gym.

Now obviously I had to give this a try. It’s right up my street and I was amazed by the things I learned about my body and how, after more than 3 years of willingly confronting my weaknesses and challenges, there is still so much more potential for me to progress. My awareness, balance, sensation and ultimately my confidence all still have room to improve. Its not over yet 💪

The programme runs for a minimum of 8 weeks, and a small number of people can join a pilot at a reduced cost, so waste no time in finding out if this is for you.

Follow the account to learn more, and feel free to get in touch with Hannah if you have any questions! 🧠💙

#neurophysiotherapy #physiotherapy #strokesurvivor #strokerehab #hemiparesis by @mythrowingarmstopped

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14 days ago

Day 1195 - and today I can finally share this with you…a great little documentary made by Gethin Spencer, a post-graduate sports journalism student from the University of Sheffield, and ably assisted by @jkharmanphoto
An absolute pleasure and privilege to feature alongside @garethtwamley (‘The Poet’) and @stone_skimmer (‘The Champion’).
My story was told so beautifully and sensitively by these very talented people.
Have a look in my highlights, and follow the link to YouTube. Give it a watch, a like and a comment while you’re there ❤️ it’s only 9 minutes of your time!!
There’s life after stroke, everyone. There is life after stroke!
#strokesurvivor #strokeawareness #youngstrokesurvivor #hemiparesis #stoneskimming
@differentstrokesuk @diversity_pr @hannagsslr @bewellwigan by @mythrowingarmstopped

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23 days ago

Day 1183 - and it’s official, your boy is the 124th best stone skimmer on planet Earth….using his impaired throwing arm against able-bodied opponents. But not just any opponents, the very best in the world. I finished just behind the new female world champion 💪

Not only that, myself and my brothers in stone from @liverpoolstoneskimmingsociety finished 7th in the team event, so well done to @lucakillick @elslouisk & last but not least @jdoggyspogbog who finished 8th in the individual event 👏👏👏
I just wanted to say a really big thank you to LSSS for giving my life a new focus and helping me realise that I can still do it 💙

Conditions were hard and I could have done better. We have all done better in practice. But that’s not important right now. I’m proud and I don’t care who knows it.

See you in 2027….

Also see my highlights for the interesting bits of media coverage 😎

@differentstrokesuk @diversity_pr @bewellwigan #strokesurvivor #strokerecovery #youngstrokesurvivor #hemiparesis #stoneskimmer by @mythrowingarmstopped

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a month ago

So today is day 1180, but on day 1178, this happened….please repost to raise awareness ❤️
I participated in the World Stone Skimming Championships on the tiny island of Easdale in the Inner Hebrides, not far from Oban, Scotland.

It was a lovely day for it, and thank goodness too, because we’d driven 300 miles to Oban, then taken a 40 minute bus ride, and a 5 minute “ferry” to be there.
I mean, that might sound like a lot but there were competitors from around the globe. France, Germany, Belgium, Norway, Netherlands, USA, Canada, Argentina, Zimbabwe, Australia, New Zealand and many others!

Shout out to my brothers in stone @jdoggyspogbog @lucakillick @elslouisk from the @liverpoolstoneskimmingsociety - a perfectly-formed team of four going toe to toe with world’s best skimmers. And may I remind you, that’s me…with #hemiparesis …..throwing with my affected arm…..against the world’s best 💪

It was a fantastic day! We didn’t make the podium places, but I’ll update once I have the final results.

Ladies and gentlemen of the stroke community. We are not done, this is not the end! This is the beginning of the new you! Take every opportunity that comes your way to prove that to yourself! This is your life to live ❤️
@differentstrokesuk @diversity_pr #strokesurvivor #youngstrokesurvivor #youngstrokeawareness #braininjurysurvivor

I know it can often split the room, but I love love love the sound of bagpipes. Sorry, not sorry!

Thanks to @illingworthseddoncfp for sponsoring me to attend the championships - it’s not cheap being a championship stone thrower!!

Thanks to @stroke_survivor_uk for supplying the hoodie to keep me warm while I waited (I was the 416th competitor to throw) check out her page!

The precipitous walk to the Skim Zone!

The Skim Zone!

I won a wheelbarrow in the raffle and had no idea how I was going to get it home (the journey to Easdale involves shuttle bus and 10-berth ferry boat! This super fan asked if she could have it.

So in exchange for a £50 donation to @differentstrokesuk I signed the wheelbarrow and handed it over to it’s happy new owner 😊

My attempt finally arrived! 🥏🌊

The Liverpool Stone Skimmers 💪

Seil Island

Evening entertai by @mythrowingarmstopped

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a month ago

Day 1164 - 2 weeks to go! But this has been more than 3 years in the making.

When I think about it, I haven’t truly rested since day 1. I was talking to the paramedics on the way to the hospital about how my life would need to change, and what would need to be done. I was already confronting my recovery, and I didn’t really know just yet exactly what was wrong.

I have needed this resolve, determination and resilience over these 3 years to get me where I am today.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s been incredibly frightening, painful, upsetting and intensely frustrating.
But I simply won’t allow that fear to control me and what I do. I don’t see the fear as something internal to me. I see it as an external thing, trying to get at me, and I just won’t let it. Fear has no place at my table - we all feel it, but we don’t need it to be our guide.

So let’s see in 2 weeks time what rehabilitation and recovery can amount to, and no matter what the outcome, I already know that I am as physically and mentally capable as anyone. I have done my best and I will continue to do just that. My best is good enough.

I also want to take this opportunity to give a special shout out to my corporate sponsors @illingworthseddoncfp who have covered my out of pocket expenses, thus allowing me to compete in Scotland with very little extra cost. Without them, it would’ve been a much more expensive pursuit.
If you need financial advice, look no further. I have been with them for the past 12 months and the difference they’ve made to my future is quite eye opening. So thank you to them for that and for the offer of sponsorship.

Massive thank you also to @differentstrokesuk and @diversity_pr for working so hard to get my story out there into the mass media. I really hope it raises awareness of stroke in younger people and the unique challenges we face. If together we have inspired just one person to keep going, then that is job done!

#strokeawareness #strokesurvivor #youngstrokeawareness #hemiparesis #stoneskimming by @mythrowingarmstopped

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2 months ago

Day 1154: a nomination for JustGiving fundraiser of the year. Not shortlisted for the award - only 16 people make the shortlist - so I’ll take it.
This makes all the hard work worthwhile 😊
#strokesurvivor #youngstrokesurvivor #strokerecovery #youngstrokeawareness #charityfundraiser @differentstrokesuk @justgiving by @mythrowingarmstopped

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2 months ago

Is there a more dramatic entrance to a @sparuk anywhere in the UK than this one I found in Verona. I’ll wait… by @mythrowingarmstopped

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2 months ago

Lago di Garda
Paddleboarding, swimming, boat-trips, mountainside picnics, heatwave sightseeing and driving on the right…
#lifeafterstroke #strokesurvivor #youngstrokeawareness #hemiparesis by @mythrowingarmstopped

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2 months ago