Gillian's Ongoing Road to Recovery

Hi everyone, it’s Gill.

I am so thankful for all of your support during my journey over the last two years since the stroke. I have appreciated your encouragement, your help, and your generosity enormously.

Attending rehab in Cyprus was so important to me. It gave me newfound confidence, not only from the movement aspect but also a new mindset. It’s because of all of you who supported me through your thoughts and prayers, visits, donations, and cheering me on from the sidelines. It means so much to me—thank you.

As my journey opens up a new chapter, another opportunity has arisen, and I invite you all to journey along with me for this one too.

In my research about stroke rehab, I learnt about a drug that, when it’s injected in the back of the neck, penetrates the brain to eliminate inflammation - and gets rid of spasticity. It sounded too good to be true.

But maybe not.

After much research, I now have the opportunity to go to America in August to try it. It’s not yet available in Australia. This treatment is a one-time opportunity; it will either work or have no effect. The success rate is 4 out of 5 for reducing pain and spasticity.

Some have asked me, why not wait until the drug is available in Australia?

In reality, I have a passion to make a difference post stroke, and I don’t want to waste a single day. I want to continue to live a valuable life after my stroke, and we don’t know yet when it will be available here.

But right now, every day, I bear much pain on the right side of my body - my face, my shoulder, my arm, my hip, my knee, my foot. I don’t like to talk about it, but it’s there. The impact is not only physical but mental as well, with the frustration of not being able to get the words out of my mouth when I’m clear on what I want to say. (Most of the time!)

Of course, there is a chance I may be one of the 20% of people for whom the injection has no result. Naturally, this would be unfortunate (actually, devastating). That’s where active hope comes in. Ever since I realised I might be a candidate for the drug, I’ve made sure that whatever happens, I’ll have given my all to my rehab. From practising my writing with my left hand daily to time trials around the apartment with no cane. One day, I’ll will be faster walking than swimming. Not yet. But one day.

I will know I have given it my best shot.

Channel 9 television station in Australia will be following my journey with interest (though no payment), as this is quite an innovative step to take, and may help others.

To help me access this opportunity, I am asking for financial support to make the trip to America. All up, it will cost $20,000 to cover the expenses for myself and my essential support person, my husband Steve.

I’m not just asking for donations; I’m inviting you to be part of the story.

Please donate if you can, or share my story with others who might wish to help. Updates on my progress and experiences in America will be shared here, so you can see the direct impact of your generosity.

If funds donated exceed the target for the trip to America, all additional money will gratefully go towards my ongoing rehab and physiotherapy.

Thank you for considering supporting me.

With gratitude, so much gratitude,

Gill