Bendigo stroke survivor Neil McKenzie's recovery continues

For Neil McKenzie a stroke in his early 50s cut up his life, stopping him working, and put "ridiculous" stress on his family.

More than two years later, he's still recovering. It's been a long journey to get to the point where he can walk with a cane.

Related content: F.A.S.T actions saved-mother-of-two's life

The circumstances of Mr McKenzie's stroke were strange. Adopted as a child, he had found his birth parents, when his biological father died.

The stroke happened when Mr McKenzie was returning his father's ashes to his grandmother's grave, surrounded by family.

As he leant over his grandmother's grave - who had died of a stroke at the same age - he had a stroke.

A cousin who was a nurse called an ambulance, saving Mr McKenzie's life.

He spent the next 11 months in hospital recovering. In that time he had seven brain operations.

His recovery continues with ongoing rehabilitation.

The stroke's consequences have been far-reaching.

Financially, it's "ruined" Mr McKenzie's family. In December 2020 they moved back to Bendigo, because things were so tough in Melbourne.

It's also taken away Mr McKenzie's work as a pastry chef, which he loved. A left-hander, his left side has been paralysed, leaving him unable to work on cakes and pastries.

Two years on, Mr McKenzie is finally out of a wheelchair, starting to walk with a stick.

Even little things are challenges. He still can't drive, meaning the pressure of school runs and the like have fallen solely on his wife.

Other news:

As a social person, not being able to catch up with friends easily has also posed a challenge.

The stress on Mr McKenzie's family was hardest for him to talk about, especially the effect on his daughter.

"It just slices your life in half, then chops it up into little pieces," he said.

"But I look at it like, through tragedy there must be some positivity on the other end. That's what I can see."

Mr McKenzie is hoping to make a full recovery in the next 10 years. Now, he's working on his cognitive function, hoping to get back behind the wheel.

For Mr McKenzie meeting others in the same position has been a huge support to his recovery.

Since moving to Bendigo he's attended activities at the city's Stroke Support Centre, designed to support survivors after their official rehabilitation ends.

Coordinator Tamara Lalor said the centre was there for the long-haul, as recovery was a lifelong journey.

More information about the Bendigo Stroke Support Centre is available at: https://bit.ly/2VCLcxC.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: