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Young Stroke Survivors Network

@strength_after_stroke

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Wales' Young Stroke Survivors Network!
FOR stroke survivors, BY stroke survivors!
Connecting, inspiring, motivating 💪🏼 JOIN US!

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Recovery after stroke isn’t always about new exercises.

It’s about safe, adapted ways to perform regular ones meeting people where they are.

Here, my client progresses through three stages of a seated cable row:
 1. Coach-assisted pull with independent extension. 
2. Self-assisted pull using the unaffected arm, then independent extension with the affected arm.
 3. Fully independent pull and extension with her affected arm (The main goal!)

Gradually reducing assistance challenges the affected arm (and brain) while keeping the movement achievable.

Eccentric (negative) training can improve strength, control, and function after stroke, making it a valuable rehab tool!

Progress isn’t always about doing something new, it’s about thinking outside of the box!

#strokerehab #strokerecovery #StrokeSurvivor #StrengthTraining

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I've been quiet on here, here's what we've been working on...

#strokerehab #strokerecovery #youngstrokesurvivor #strokesurvivor #lifegoeson

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There’s just over 6 weeks between these clips ⬆️

Scroll through to see what we did 👉🏻

Same movement. But a way better outcome!

Here’s what we did…

What changed?

Not the exercise BUT The consistency. The repetition. The confidence to keep building from where she was at.

After a stroke, progress isn’t just about doing more (although that is the key foundation for the brain to re-wire and form new neural pathways)…
 It’s about helping the body relearn, rebuild, and trust movement again.

Katie shows up. She’s puts the effort, reps and practise in.
She’s pushed a little further each session.

Katie’s now:
 Getting Stronger. More stable. Building real foundations.

This is what real progress after stroke actually looks like!

And Katie’s moving forwards!

#strokerecovery #strengthafterstroke #rebuildstronger #adaptivetraining #strokerehab

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🎓 🧠 💪🏻 Now Qualified in Functional Rehab and Exercise Coaching for Stroke Survivors 🎓 🧠 💪🏻

This one means a lot…

After finishing my exams and coursework in January, I’ve officially qualified as a Level 4 Functional Rehabilitation and Exercise Specialist for stroke survivors.

But this isn’t just another qualification for me.

After having my own stroke last year, I know what recovery really feels like: the uncertainty, the frustration… BUT also the potential to rebuild stronger.
 The sad reality is that there’s a gap - a big one!

Between NHS rehab ending, and having the confidence to step into a gym and keep progressing. 
For many stroke survivors, support stops too soon. Progress stalls. 
But it doesn’t have to be that way. 
My aim is to bridge that gap by helping people move from “I’ve finished my community supported stroke rehab” to “I’m continuing to build strength, confidence, and capability again.” 
I’m now an ARNI Institute Associate, which means I can:  ✔️ Support stroke survivors through GP referral home visits ✔️ Improve strength, coordination, and functional movement ✔️ Help people transition safely into gym training 
I’ve already started working with stroke survivors at Omnigym in Glasgow, and it’s been one of the most rewarding parts of my coaching journey so far. 
If you (or someone you know) is unsure what comes next after a stroke… 
Please reach out! ❤️

#strokerecovery #neurorehab #strokeawareness #glasgowpt #strokesurvivor

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Somebody needed to hear this…

I was LIVE and one of my members said something that hit me deep…

“Man, I’ve been going through… I’ve been having some dark days.”

And that’s the part we don’t talk about enough.

Survivors aren’t just healing physically…
We’re battling mentally. Emotionally. Spiritually.

Especially my men.

Because society tells you:
Be strong.
Don’t cry.
Handle it.

But what happens when your body changes…
your independence shifts…
and you don’t even recognize yourself anymore?

That’s where the silence creeps in.

And I need you to hear me clearly:

You are NOT meant to suffer in silence.

You are not alone.
You are not forgotten.
And your life still has purpose.

Even on the days you question:
“Why did I survive this?”

I truly believe…
we survived for a reason.

Even if that reason is just to reach one other person.

If you’re going through dark days right now…
this is your sign:

👉🏽 You don’t have to do it alone.

We have a community.
We talk. We heal. We support.

📩 Message me. Come join us.

Because healing was never meant to happen in isolation.

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I’m 35 & I’ve just had a stroke. On brain injury awareness month, I want to highlight the heroes in healthcare. Overnight I went from owning and running a care company to requiring care myself:

From a 999 call I was seen in 20 minutes and admitted to the stroke ward within 3 hours after tests from a team of specialists. With 2 cerebral arterial dissections, clotting had resulted in a stroke. I opened my eyes to find myself surrounded by a team of badass women and even in my shock and delirium I couldn’t help but be wowed.

Today marks 12 weeks since my stroke and I have an incredible multi-disciplinary team around me and I’ll forever be grateful for them & the steps we have taken together. I will never forget how fortunate I am to have their support and guidance. It is a luxury.

People moan about the waiting times amongst other things but behind the headlines, these people are fighting fires and saving lives, not getting the thanks they deserve. What I saw was a phenomenal team, battling the elements, overworked and understaffed. The heroes who have given their heart and soul, burnt out and picking up the slack. If everyone fostered the same support & carer-centric approach as we do with our care team, this epidemic of losing good nurses and carers would end.

As I have learned in a life changing twist, I am not invincible & we are nothing without our health, so what will we do when there’s no one left to save us? Support the NHS, bring back pride in nursing and care. The same pride I feel every time I say I work in care. Even through slurred speech, I took every opportunity to say I’m a Visiting Angel. The same pride I’ve always felt telling everyone that my wife is a nurse. They should feel proud, instead they’re the fall guys for a broken system. The government & managing bodies need to value and reward our healthcare workers for the heroes they are. End of story.

With months of rehab ahead, I’m on a mission & proud of the progress I’ve made. I may look weaker & move slower but I’m coming back stronger, appreciative of every little triumph with a deeper understanding of supporting our clients.

Thank you to our healthcare heroes, especially my Angels 🩵

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3 and a half minutes of a Scottish stroke survivor massively out of his comfort zone, enjoy! Part 2 coming soon, thank you for all of your great questions.

#strokerehabilitation #strokerecovery #youngstrokesurvivor #stroke #strokerehab #strokesurvivor #haemorrhagicstroke #brainbleed #brainhaemorrhage #strokeawareness #questions #questionanswer #strokequestions

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💪🏻 9 weeks is plenty of time to make real progress, not just promises! 💪🏻

Start now, and you’ll walk into Jan 2026 already stronger, more confident, and with the momentum most people are still trying to find when the new year arrives!

Don’t wait for January.

The best time to start was yesterday, so the next best is today!

👉 DM me the word “READY” leave a comment or click my “Get Started” link and I’ll help you plan your next 9 weeks!

#ptglasgow #onlinecoach StartNowNotLater #NewYearStartsNow #9WeeksToTheNewYear #BuildYourFoundation #EndTheYearStrong #MindsetShift #FitnessJourney

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Today is World Stroke Day 🧠

This message is for anyone who has had a stroke, for anyone who has had a neurological condition, and even for family, friends or professionals.

Progress never truly stops.

It may not always be dramatic.

The progress you see after three months might look very different from the progress you make after ten years.

But every step forward - whether big or small, physical or emotional - matters.

For some, progress means standing up a little steadier, walking a little further, or finding the strength to get out of bed independently.

For others, it’s feeling more confident, reconnecting socially, or simply believing that improvement is still possible.

Progress isn’t defined by time or scale, it’s defined by you.

The strive for progress should never be abandoned, it’s where recovery begins and resilience grows 💛

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👉🏻 World Stroke Day - My Different Perspective 🫶🏻

Today is World Stroke Day, and I wanted to focus on what my stroke gave me, rather than took away.

It gave me more purpose, perspective, and the drive to help others rediscover what’s possible in their own recovery.

#WorldStrokeDay #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeRehab #RebuildWithPurpose #ptglasgow

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❤️ Real Stories. Real People. Real Connection ❤️

I’ve had some incredible messages lately from people who’ve connected with my story and every single one has reminded me why community matters!

When I first started sharing my journey, I hoped it might help someone, but I didn’t expect the community it has started to build and hope that it just keeps growing! 💪🏻

It’s not always easy to open up about the hard stuff, but it can help others to do the same and move forward!

If you’ve ever connected with something I’ve shared from my own story, thank you! 🙏🏼

Drop a 💬 if you’ve ever been reminded that you’re not alone 👇🏼

#community #recovery #stroke #strokesurvivor #pacemaker #rebuild #ptglasgow #onlinecoach #glasgow #omnigymglasgow

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📚 My Every 2nd Saturday Routine = ARNI course day 🧠 💻

It’s full-on, but it’s how I plan to keep learning to better serve future clients who are stroke survivors (and keep growing myself!)

⭐️ Always Learning. Always Improving. ⭐️

Better knowledge + Better Understanding = Better Coaching! 💪🏻

#strokeawareness #rehabjourney #arnimethod #neurorehab #coachlife #learning #personaltrainer #ptglasgow

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