Andrew brings lived experience and hope to stroke patients

Today, on World Stroke Day, we’d like you to meet Andrew, one of our newest volunteers!

Five years ago, Andrew had a stroke that left him paralysed down his right side, with slurred speech and six weeks of rehabilitation ahead of him, he was so frightened.

When his therapy came to an end, he still couldn’t walk properly and his arm remained paralysed. He remembers wondering, “What am I supposed to do now?”

What Andrew needed most was someone who understood. Someone who had been through it themselves, who could listen and offer a little hope from experience when the future felt so uncertain.

Now, Andrew is preparing to be that person for someone else by volunteering at Hutt Hospital, supporting stroke patients.

Andrew shares that he is most looking forward to: “Sitting with someone in the worst fortnight of their life and being proof that there is life after stroke. Every stroke is as unique as a fingerprint, as is every recovery, and so I would never tell anyone what their recovery journey looks like. What I can do is turn up as someone who was once where they were, and be there for them, and that alone gives hope.”

Andrew’s saxophone is a special part of his story. A career music educator and musician of 40 years, he was once told he would never use his hand or arm again. After four years away from playing, he had almost given up hope when his fingers began moving independently, allowing him to pick up his saxophone again. Returning to music has brought him enormous joy and reminded him that progress can come in unexpected ways, even after therapy ends.

We’re so grateful to be welcoming Andrew to our volunteer whānau. His willingness to share his experience and simply be there for others will bring a special kind of support to our Hutt community