A North Cowton stroke survivor has praised NHS teams who helped him regain his independence after a life-changing medical emergency – while also raising awareness that strokes can affect people of any age.
Matthew Bond, 37, suffered a stroke in October 2025 after waking early one Saturday morning with a pins-and-needles sensation in his left arm. Initially dismissing the feeling, he went back to sleep.
However, when he woke again and tried to walk, he felt as though a heavy weight was attached to his left leg. At the same time his arm went numb and the left side of his mouth dropped, leaving him unable to walk, move or speak.
Fortunately, his housemates recognised the signs of a stroke and remembered FAST – Face, Arms, Speech, Time – the acronym used to identify the most common symptoms. They immediately dialled 999.
Matthew was taken by ambulance to the James Cook University Hospital where scans confirmed he had suffered a right-sided lacunar stroke, a type of ischaemic stroke that occurs deep within the brain.
After spending four days on the hospital’s acute stroke ward, he was transferred to the Rutson Ward at The Friarage Hospital for further rehabilitation.
Matthew, a former forklift truck driver, said the stroke had a major impact on his life.
“Having a stroke means that I cannot drive, work and live independently,” he said.
During the five weeks he spent at the Friarage, Matthew worked closely with a specialist rehabilitation team including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, rehabilitation nurses, doctors and dietitians.
Clinical lead physiotherapist Lucy Keenan said the team worked with Matthew to rebuild his strength and independence step by step.
When he first arrived on the ward he required a hoist to move, but through rehabilitation he progressed to walking with a stick, climbing stairs, carrying out everyday activities and walking outdoors.
After five weeks he was discharged home and placed under the care of the early supported discharge (ESD) team, who continued to visit him three to four times a week for six weeks.
During these sessions the team helped him practise everyday activities such as showering safely, completing kitchen tasks and improving his balance and strength.
Matthew says the support he has received has transformed both his physical recovery and his mental wellbeing.
“The help and support I have received has not only helped my physical recovery but also improved my mental health and wellbeing,” he said. “The team’s involvement has instilled a sense of hope for recovery and motivation to continue working on my recovery.”
Now continuing his rehabilitation at home, Matthew has started swimming for the first time since his stroke and hopes to return to both driving and work in the future.
Lucy added: “On behalf of myself, Kirsty Jones, Liz Haresign, Stephanie Verity and the entire Rutson and ESD team, it has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside and support Matthew on his rehabilitation journey.”
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