A TEACHER of over thirty years, who was struck down by a stroke, hopes to take the next steps in her recovery thanks to the determination of her daughter and the generosity of her community.
Wendy Yates, 58, from Ambleside, suffered from a haemorrhagic stroke on August 4 this year, paralysing her left side and affecting her sight and speech.
The Coniston Primary School teacher was rushed to Salford Royal due to the severity of the bleed on her brain, which doctors struggled to stop for 48 hours.
“They were worried she was going to die because they couldn’t get the bleed to stop for 48 hours,” said Alice Boston, Ms Yates’ daughter.
After finally managing to slow Ms Yates’ bleed Salford Royal transferred her to Furness General Hospital, where she spent 16 weeks.
Whilst in the hospital Ms Yates contracted Covid-19, which set back her recovery and prevented her family from visiting her, escalating the huge emotional toll on the family.
“She was taken off the ward and into a single room to stop the virus spreading more,” said Miss Boston.
“Because of that her physio was confined to this box room, which stopped her progress a lot.
“It had a big effect on all of us, especially with her being there for so long and the Covid situation.
“No visitors allowed, so in the three months I only saw her once.
“The whole stress and trauma of being in a Covid ward where people are dying it was just another thing.”
Despite the setbacks and after lots of hard work and determination Ms Yates is now able to move her face and has partial mobility in her left arm.
“At first she couldn’t see or speak,” said Miss Boston.
“She can see and speak now, she’s got movement in the left side of her face and a little movement in her left arm and her leg is showing signs of improving.”
The family believes the stress of caring for her terminally ill mother in Wigan contributed to the stroke, which occurred the day before Ms Yates’ mother’s funeral.
Miss Boston, who currently studies at the University of Birmingham has been helping her mum, alongside her dad for the last month at home, where she is receiving physiotherapy three times a week.
The 19-year-old is now determined to accelerate her mum’s recovery by walking 40 miles around the Lake District in January, alongside friend Hannnah Durkin, to raise some of the thousands of pounds needed to get her mum care from STEPS in Sheffield, a residential rehabilitation centre for strokes.
The centre would provide an intensive course of physiotherapy, neuropsychology, speech and language therapy, medical care, and music therapy to aid with Ms Yates’ rehabilitation in a programme spanning six to eight weeks.
“Unfortunately, it comes at a very high cost,” said Miss Boston.
“£6,500 a week.
“It would mean the world just to see her get her independence and quality of life back.
"I can't put into words how much it would mean.
“It’s so frustrating for her, she knows she could do it and now she can’t, it’s another level of emotions.”
Amazingly after less than 24 hours of the JustGiving page going live £5,000 was donated by supporters and the total is growing exponentially every day.
“Around here it’s such a good community,” said Miss Boston.
“My mum has been a teacher for so long and she’s lived in Ambleside for 38 years, so it’s really nice when people from 20 years ago put a supportive message on there.
“It’s been really nice reading all the messages.
“It’s given us a massive boost and hope.”
If you would like to donate to Miss Boston's fundraiser to get her mum to STEPS click here
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