Like Mary, I too had a disabling stroke. I was a Calennig musician and singer, a collector in Wales, a Llantrisant Folk Club compere and organiser and a journalist to boot. This one was a doozy - the stroke parylised half of my body, I almost died, I spent nine months in hospital, I was without speech, I was wheelchair-bound. Mary, the only good thing about a stroke is that it DOES get better. I was in a sorry state; I could barely stand on a stage, let alone sing and play. But look at me now. I achieved my ambition of playing in a band once more, I have been invited to festivals as a singing performer and I write articles and review CDs for Taplas, the all-Wales magazine. I even found a loving partner to care for me.

You are not alone - there are thousands of stroke survivors just willing you on to to improve and grow stronger. Keep at it, Mary - don't let the the bastards grind you down.