dyscover – rediscovering communication

Susie Cope

Susie, who is married with a teenage daughter Laura had a demanding senior management role with Thompson Directories. She wanted to spend more time with Laura so stayed at home for four years and then took a part-time job, again in advertising.

Her life changed suddenly during a family holiday in Thailand. Susie’s stroke occurred on a boat trip and when she reached land the small clinic initially diagnosed it as the result of a seasickness pill she had taken.

Her husband Richard thought she had had a stroke and as soon as the boat returned to the main island of Phuket and she was taken to hospital, where a stroke was confirmed. Luckily it was only four hours before Susie got back to Phuket.

“The treatment was excellent”, says Susie. “I was in intensive care for five days and then had my own room in the stroke unit. Here I received superb physiotherapy and speech therapy both morning and afternoon.”

The physiotherapist was very encouraging, assuring Susie that she would walk again. “And I did’” says Susie. “After just four weeks, I was able to make my own way to the plane home”.

Staff at Crawley hospital told Susie about Dyscover and she is now an integral part of the charity.

Susie has been involved in many activities and outings since she joined, including art, companion cycling, swimming, air-rifle shooting, rock-climbing and abseiling. Susie has also taken part in numerous research programmes with the hope of furthering understanding of brain-injury, stroke, and aphasia. Susie also helps newer members as they join Dyscover.