Caroline suffered a stroke which left her unable to walk and dependent on full-body hoists to help move her from lying to seated positions. She was admitted to St Neots Neurological Centre for a full assessment with the specialist clinical team who devised a comprehensive rehabilitation programme. Caroline’s progress from full dependency to being able to walk again independently is nothing short of inspiring, this is her incredible story.
Assessment and goal setting
Upon admission to St Neots Neurological Centre, Caroline had limited mobility, muscle weakness and challenges with balance and coordination, after suffering a stroke. Despite her initial struggles, Caroline expressed a clear goal for the future, she wanted to walk again, and this determination set the tone for her rehabilitation journey.
Caroline says: “My determination mostly came from my grandchildren – I have two granddaughters and two grandsons. I was determined to walk again for them all, but especially my youngest granddaughter, she’s 8 and she loves to go shopping and she made inspirational posters for me to put on the wall in my room, which said, ‘Nanny, let’s go shopping!’
“I’m not sure whether she likes going shopping with me or my wallet! But I suppose that’s what being a nanny is all about, treating them and having fun together. I remember when my son was young, we used to go out with my mum and we saw a t-shirt that said, ‘Mummy might, Daddy won’t, but Nanny will!’ and that’s just what it’s like now for me!”
Interventions
Together, Caroline and her dedicated Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist set clear, achievable goals, including regaining the ability to perform ADLs, upper limb function and regaining the ability to transfer and mobilise independently. Caroline’s customised treatment plan incorporated a combination of therapeutic exercises, mobility training, neuro muscular re-education and ADLs task training.
Caroline explains that although beginning the rehabilitation programme was challenging, she had a clear view of what she wanted to achieve, right at the beginning.
“It was difficult to start, but I did want to do it. I was determined that I was going to be able to walk again. I had a new hip in August 2018, and I said to the doctors, (at the time all the celebrities were climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for charity), I don’t want to climb Kilimanjaro, I don’t want to do a marathon. I just want to be able to walk and that carried on really. That was the determination to do it. But I couldn’t have done it without the staff here, they have been fantastic.”
Progress and independence
Caroline made exceptional progress. From struggling to reposition in bed, she gradually gained enough strength and confidence to sit at the edge of the bed independently. Over weeks of dedicated effort, she transitioned from complete dependency on hoist transfers to being able to stand with support. Her determination was unflinching, and each small victory fuelled her motivation to push further.
The transition from full body hoist to Sara Steady transfers was challenging, and Caroline initially found it uncomfortable, even referring to the aid as ”the equipment of torture’’.
Caroline says: “Sara Steady felt like it was moving, and I didn’t like it at all. Then the therapist, Sonia, got a different piece of equipment, which was a lot better for me, even though it looked like a sack barrow! It was painted red so I felt like I should be going and helping Royal Mail at Christmas to deliver Christmas cards, (I’m just joking) but I felt I had more control over that. I also didn’t like the hoists I found them uncomfortable as well. Ultimately, I knew that it was down to me to be able to stand up and to be able to walk, not a piece of equipment and that’s why I made it happen.”
With practice, Caroline’s confidence grew, and her ability to complete transfers improved significantly to the use of the equipment ReTurn, with the assistance of two staff members and a secure belt to ensure her safety during transfers. Caroline’s relentless efforts paid off, over time she became more self-assured and capable. She successfully carried out ReTurn transfers with just one staff member, eliminating the need for the secure belt.
Caroline’s voyage towards independence did not stop there. She expressed her desire to use the toilet independently. The occupational therapy team embarked on a mission to source the right equipment to support her to use the toilet. When Caroline used the toilet for the first time post stoke, she expressed, “I feel like a human again”. Caroline’s journey continued as she transitioned to using a walking frame, although apprehensive at first, she defied her doubts and started taking steps. The first time she took her tentative steps with assistance of a walking frame marked a significant milestone in her recovery.
In the following weeks of rigorous practice, Caroline reached an impressive milestone – she returned to using her simple walking stick for both mobility and transfers. This marked a remarkable baseline in her rehabilitation experience and she expressed “I am pleased”.
However, perhaps the most memorable turning point was Caroline’s conquering of stairs. Caroline shares how she first felt when she climbed the stairs:
“When I first looked up the stairs and thought about climbing them, I think I swallowed quite hard! The first time, I did a few steps up and then came back down. But since then I’ve been able to climb right to the top and back down to the bottom.
“It’s about determination, I’m sure that’s all it is. Well, you need a bit of courage, but you definitely need the determination to do it. Now, I’m lucky with my family, they’re all very supportive. But I think I’ve always been determined. Before I had the stroke and before I retired, I was a facilities manager. And you need to be determined to do that – I was responsible for seven buildings.”
Throughout her journey, Caroline faced multiple challenges, including frustration and moments of doubt. Caroline says her biggest moment of doubt was encountering difficulty coming down a flight of stairs, but even this she manages to turn into a positive memory.
Caroline jokes: “The biggest moment of doubt for me was coming down a flight of stairs. Going up was not so bad, but the stairs that they got me to practise on in this building curve round a little bit. So, I can’t use the handrails on both sides at the same time. When I was coming down the therapist said to me, ‘you need to move your left foot’. I said, ‘I can’t because the right one is standing on it’. Which made her laugh.”
Another significant accomplishment in her path was her newfound ability to independently transfer in and out of a car.
Caroline says: “I didn’t think it would be a problem for me to get in and out of a car and neither did the therapists. The person that was most worried about it was my husband. But I knew everything to do, how to approach the car backwards and what to hold on to in the car.
“He was worried that I wouldn’t be able to get in the car but I knew it would be ok. So once I’d done it, I got Sonia, the therapist that’s done most of the work with me, to take a photograph of me sitting in the car and I sent it to him. He was very pleased and proud. That’s the other thing that’s kept me going here. Everybody has said how proud they are. It’s just been lovely.
“The staff are amazing, they’ve all been so lovely. I honestly do not think there is one member of staff that I dislike. They’re all so lovely.”
Since Caroline has been able to get in and out of a car, she has been on visits out into the community using a wheelchair to ensure her safety.
“I went to a garden centre and we had a coffee and cake, obviously, that’s what you need to do at the garden centre! I like to go to garden centres quite a bit with my husband because he’s a very keen gardener. I’m looking forward to doing this again with him. The day I’m due to be discharged is his 70th birthday so that will be an extra special day. And then I think by the end of the month I’ll be able to go shopping with my granddaughter, which will be just wonderful!”
Sonia Stephen, Physiotherapist at St Neots Neurological Centre sums up how impressed and inspired the therapy team are with Caroline’s achievements.
Sonia says: “Caroline’s success story is a shining example of the human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversity. Her unwavering determination, combined with the expertise and support of our healthcare system, has transformed her life. From a state of full dependency and confusion, she has emerged as a symbol of triumph and hope.
“Caroline’s journey inspires us all and underscores the vital role that rehabilitation therapies play in restoring independence and enhancing the quality of life. We celebrate Caroline’s extraordinary achievements and look forward to witnessing her continued success in the future. Caroline Howson is a true inspiration to us all.”
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