Fit 4 Health
Case Study
Maggie McNulty
Maggie McNulty was born in Cork, Ireland in
1947 and came to Finsbury Park in 1964. She
later joined St Joseph Hospice kitchen team for
20 enjoyable years.
In 1985, Maggie changed job her job and
worked in a Factory. She recalls “Something
came over me and didn’t feel right. I went to
Middlesex Hospital where I was diagnosed with
suffering from a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).
I spent three weeks in hospital and gained some
care from a physiotherapist who helped me as
the stroke had effected my walking and loss of
strength in my right- hand. I was conscious of
keeping my job and paying my bills and returned
to work a few weeks after leaving hospital.
In 1990 I suffered a second TIA causing
numbness on one side of my face. The feeling in
my face gradually returned after a short stay in
hospital.
Maggie’s husband Keiran suffered a stroke
in October 2015 and was referred to the Fit 4
Health – Exercise after Stroke scheme. Maggie
was to attend the sessions as her husband’s
carer and to ensure he attended classes. During
conversation with, scheme co-ordinator Helen
McGinley it was realised that Maggie was
eligible as she had suffered a stroke/TIA and
would benefit from attending the scheme.
Maggie said “Being accepted on to Fit 4
Health made such a difference to myself. I was
I was losing confidence
and I was under so
much stress
.
losing confidence and I was under so much
stress. My life had turned upside down when I
saw what had happened to Keiran”.
We started with the slow passed walk at Clissold
Park in May 2016 as Keiran was not ready for the
gym and circuit elements of the course at this
stage. I forgot what great pleasure I got from
walking especially in Clissold Park, where Keiran
and I used to go every Sunday a long time ago.
Confidence grew in both of us and we began the
main component (gym and circuit) of the course
in September 2016”.
Asked if you have noticed any benefits to
your life and wellbeing since being on the
programme “Stress has lifted, my walking has
improved including a reduction in muscular
pain and stiffness to my knees. I feel stronger
and very confident”
Keiran and I have become more active, we are
getting out every day in the area we live through
visiting London Fields, going to the local café and
shops. Prior to attending Fit 4 Health a friend
and I tried to get Keiran out and onto a bus in
his wheelchair but he was shaking with fear and
we couldn’t get him on the bus. At times I felt
I couldn’t take anymore, but now I feel relaxed
and am sleeping better.
The instructors were
amazing and gave me
so much confidence.
I knew this is where I
wanted to be .
We also do the exercises learnt from the
programme every day at home.
Talking to someone on the programme was
beneficial because friends, did not always
understand. You felt you were not alone, you see
that other people have had strokes and you can
share experiences”.
What did you like most about the scheme “The
instructors were amazing and gave me so much
confidence. I knew this is where I wanted to be”
Commenting on the changes friends/family
have noticed Maggie said “They have said I have
calmed down a lot (I would not stop crying). Dr
Jarad at the London Fields Clinic said that I have
been through the mill, but I can see that you are
less stressed”
Maggie continues “Without Fit 4 Health I would
not have been able to cope. Keiran now being
able to walk has made such an improvement to
both our lives. If he didn’t someone would have
needed to take over the caring of him from me”
If you know someone who has been
affected by a stroke and would benefit from
Fit 4 Health – Exercise after Stroke/TIA
Scheme, please call the Leisure & Physical
Activity Team on: 020 8356 5285/4897
or email: [email protected].
uk or [email protected]
The FAST Campaign – face, arms, speech, telephone - is a
national programme designed to raise the public’s awareness of
the signs and symptoms of stroke. Early diagnosis can save lives
and improve a person’s quality of life following a stroke.
Produced by Hackney Design, Communications & Print • March 2017 • HDS5202