It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Jason back to our Nottingham Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre recently, along with his wife, Lorraine.

Jason experienced a stroke in the summer of 2024 and spent time at the service during his recovery.

Now, nearly a year on, he has returned to reconnect with the team of carers, nurses, and therapists who supported him and to reflect on how far he’s come.

During his visit, Jason shared his experience with current patients, answering questions about his rehabilitation journey and how he has adapted to life after a stroke. While talking to the group, he recalled his time in rehab: “Early morning start. Shoes on, ready. That’s how my day began. I struggled, though. Sometimes, a nurse even had to tie my shoelaces for me.”

Jason described the early stages of his rehab as incredibly challenging. “Just moving your hands across the table, sounds simple, but when you have had a stroke, it isn’t.”

Before his stroke, Jason wasn’t someone who exercised regularly. Although his job had always kept him physically active, and he spent his free time walking the dog or out on his motorbike. But rehabilitation brought a shift. He’s now made daily exercise part of his routine: “Since I stopped coming [to physio], I’ve carried on. I’ve increased what I do, and I keep pushing myself.”

One of the key messages Jason shared with the patients was that recovery is only as strong as the effort you put in. “Some people only do their exercises when the physio visits and then wonder why they’re not improving. If you’re only doing it for half an hour once a week, you won’t see progress.”

Now, Jason volunteers at a local food club in Grantham – The Bread and Butter Thing, a mobile food club giving those less fortunate access to nutritious and affordable food – helping with deliveries and stocking crates. He sees it as part of his ongoing physical rehab: “Some of those crates are full of parsnips and potatoes. It’s heavy work, but I still pick them up. It’s still exercise.”

Jason has also rediscovered a love of gardening. “I’ve got potatoes in sacks out the back, herbs on the windowsill, and the strawberries are just starting to come through. Every morning, I water everything. It’s become part of the routine.”

Jason looks back on the last year with open eyes. “It’s been a tough few months in all aspects of my life,” he said. “But I am making my way back into work, painting and decorating and feel I am contributing again.”

Looking ahead, Jason has his sights set on working more days and maybe even buying another motorbike one day. He’s under no illusions about the challenges, but he’s clear about his motivation: “I want to keep improving. I know I won’t be 100%, but I want to get back as much as I possibly can.”

Returning to the centre gave Jason a chance to reflect not just on his progress but on the people who helped him get there. His story resonated with both current patients and staff alike – an honest reminder of how determination, routine and rehabilitation support can shape recovery.

“It’s inside your head,” he said. “Only you can improve it. But you’ve got to want it – and you’ve got to do the work.”