Perfectly Imperfect

Creating safe spaces for stroke survivors to use photography as therapy

Running in 2024, Perfectly Imperfect is a programme of creative activity,  enabling those who have experienced a stroke or brain injury to use photography as part of their recovery. 

Working in collaboration with Photographer and stroke survivor Andy Watts,  we will be creating a safe space for those also affected to explore and experience the benefits or photography as therapy and celebrate their achievements in an exciting photographic exhibition in Gallery 1 this November. 

 Find out more about Andy and his own photographic practice here: 

www.andywattsphotography.co.uk

Here you can read the personal stories of those who participated in Perfectly Imperfect.

Angie

Hi, I’m Angie and I survived my stroke on 1st October 2022.  

It was 6.30 in the morning, and I was getting up for the Parkrun in Canterbury.  I remember thinking that I’d broken my glasses because I couldn’t focus and that I’d put my slippers on the wrong foot because walking felt odd.  Turns out I’d suffered a stroke in the left side of my brain which meant my right side was paralysed and I couldn’t speak.  

Tests afterwards discovered I had a PFO (aka hole in the heart) which is a common cause of stroke in younger people (ok, I was 56 but young at heart!).  At first, life post-stroke was difficult.  Pre-stroke I was a physically fit English teacher, reading 3 books and running 50k a week.  Suddenly, I found I couldn’t read and could just about walk!  

I am so grateful for the patience and support of my family, friends, work colleagues, Parkrun volunteers and health professionals who have helped me rebuild myself.   It’s also not an exaggeration to say that Different Strokes has changed my life.  Not only have I met a group of amazing people, but the positivity is infectious.  

I don’t dwell on what I can’t do. Instead, I focus on what I can do.  

Taking photos, as you can see, is work in progress!  

Garry

Hi, I'm Garry, stroke survivor. I expect my journey is repeated, to different degrees, around the country every day.

A lovely relaxing day in the Spanish sunshine with a nice dip in the warm Mediterranean to a very unexpected stay in a Spanish hospital. A blocked artery and a bleed on the brain took me out in seconds. I did not know it was on the cards, never being ill before.

The Spanish hospital dealt with me within a few hours, and they were excellent.

My wife took all the strain of the proceedings, I stayed there for 2 weeks before being allowed to return home. Feeling tired, a little shocked and confused I went through the process of doctors and stroke clinics at home and soon realised that it was up to me, my wife, family and friends to work on the getting back up and running with a strong and positive attitude.

I realised that we all need different things to help us move through a difficult and confusing road to recovery. For me it was mixing with others, helping and understanding the sudden changes that comes with physical and emotional stress of a sudden life changing event.

Meeting with other survivors at our little get togethers and realising that projects like our photo shoots, playing table tennis or setting ourselves little progressive objectives helps to get both body and mind in a better place.

Jackie

Stroke Survivors wife, age 68

On Friday 19th February 2016 my dear husband Brian had a major stroke.

In that moment I lost the man I knew as the strong, capable person who was full of life.

He had a left hemisphere cerebrum stroke resulting in right side paralysis and aphasia which meant he was unable to formulate words that can be understood when trying to speak. His speech never returned despite years of speech therapy.

Unfortunately, due to Brian’s complete loss of independence he was reliant on others to care for him. I became his carer with visits from agency carers whilst juggling work for a while, then eventually becoming his full time carer.

During the 7 years Brian was at home he gradually deteriorated suffering from double incontinence, infections and limited mobility to the left side too.

Eventually Brian became bed bound and after several months it became impossible to care for him at home.

Brian is now in a nursing home in Ashford and has been receiving excellent care for 2 years.

I visit him every day.

Despite the tragic events that he has endured Brian has kept his sense of humour and always has a smile for the nurses that care for him.

Over the years I have had wonderful support from my friends. Organisations such as ‘Crossroads’ have been a life saver giving me time to have a break and get out whilst they sat with him when he was still at home.

I now like to occupy myself with meditation, socialising and spending time with my cats and dog. I will be volunteering for a new Stroke group next year which will be very rewarding.

Jane

Hello, I'm Jane and I'm 61 years old. I suffered a right basal ganglia infarct stroke on 13th August 2018 aged 54 years old.

After various tests I was diagnosed with a hole in the heart which caused me to have the stroke.

I had a PFO closure in 2019.

Different strokes Whitstable is a safe haven for stroke survivors, we all "Just Get It" 

Becoming involved with Andy's Perfectly Imperfect photography exhibition has been a game changer for me, I've always enjoyed taking photos on my iPhone, but I have become passionate about taking photos and now everywhere I go I'm looking around me thinking shall I take a photo, yes I will.

I have now borrowed my son's camera and want to learn taking photos the old fashioned way.

I have Different strokes and Andy to thank for my new found enthusiasm.

Jim

Hello, my name is Jim, and I suffered two strokes in 2006 at the age of 51 years and until that day I had never been ill. I was a serving police officer when I suffered my stroke, and I was in the middle of training for the New York Marathon. The ironic part was two weeks prior to my stroke I had a medical and all was good. I had never been ill and always kept fit and prior to joining the police I had served in the military.

My stroke just didn’t affect me it affected my whole family and friends, I went out that morning to work as me and came home a different person. I was angry, not pleasant to be around, confused as to why this had happened to me. If it wasn’t for my lovely wife Lorri and my daughters, Jo and Hayley I don’t know where I would be today. I have a lot to thank them for.

Because of the stroke I retired from the police and trained to become a counsellor, this was not an easy journey due to the issues the stroke had left me with but eventually I got there. So, a new chapter in my life which allowed me to work with stroke survivors.

The stroke left me with several issues - cognitive ability, reading, writing, comprehension, speech, facial recognition and memory loss. To this day there some things I cannot remember and with having short term memory loss, every day is Groundhog Day lol. It is however a great excuse for me to use with my family “sorry I can’t remember saying/doing that!” but it’s sometimes can backfire when the girls say but dad, you said you would…! The other issue I have is that I suffer from a right-sideHemianopia, which means I have lost the right side of my vision in both eyes.

Thank you for taking the time to look at my photographs. In the world of Stroke or any other debilitating illness, it’s not what you can’t do, it’s what you can do. By looking around this exhibition hopefully you will see this.

Jo

Hello, my name is Jo Currie, daughter of Jim. I was 36 years old when I had my stroke. It was a shock since I thought I was very healthy and was actually training in the gym at the time. Fortunately, I was thrombolised quickly in the hospital meaning I was not as severely affected as I may have been otherwise.

Different Strokes has always been an important part of our family since my Dad had his stroke and we are so grateful for what they have been able to do in helping our family.

Lorri

My name is Lorri Currie and I’m the wife of Jim, the coordinator of Different Strokes Whitstable. 

Strokes affect the whole family and over the years since Jim’s strokes we have all had to adjust. For Jim, it really was a life changing event and adaptation and acceptance in what happened has been key.  

For the family, it is so important to learn as much as possible about Stroke, and we too must learn to accept what has happened and support our ‘different’ family member. 

My admiration for what Jim and all survivors have been through, and continue to do so, is immense and to see this exhibition really brings meaning to ‘Life after stroke’.

Katie

Hello, my name is Katie, and I am 28 years old.

Back in 2018, on a train journey home from London, I suffered a mini stroke. 

I was diagnosed with mild autism when at school so didn’t fully understand my new condition. Joining my local Different Strokes group in Whitstable has helped me to understand my symptoms and also to meet and befriend others in my local area who are in similar situations to myself.

My real passion is for dogs of all shapes and sizes! I have started my own business, dog walking and pet sitting. This year I purchased a van and had it fitted out with crates for taking dogs to the local beaches, woods and walking areas around Whitstable.

My business. Four Paws Dog Walking And Pet Sitting is thriving and I love to photograph all my furry friends.

Lisa

Stroke survivor, age 51.

Sunday 7th May 2017 was the day my world was turned upside down. I had a Right PCA Infarct - Ischaemic Stroke aged 44

Unbeknown to me, I also discovered that I had a TIA (Transient Ischaemic attack) in 2015.

A year after the stroke, I was diagnosed with a PFO (Patent Foramen Ovale), this has now been closed with surgery.

I suffer with Neuropathic Pain, Neuro Fatigue, Chronic Fatigue, Cognitive issues, Incontinence, as well as left sided weakness.

Due to the Strokes, I had to take medical retirement, from my NHS Nursing job.

In August 2023, I suffered another TIA.

I am a stroke survivor and I am still kicking its ass, and a glass is half full type of person.

I am grateful to be a part of this Photography Project, founded by Andy Watts (Photographer) & to Different Strokes Charity, which has been invaluable.

Maggie

I had a brainstem stroke during my sleep in May 2008, which, according to my Stroke consultant, I was lucky to survive.

It left me hemiplegic -totally paralysed down the left side of my body. The plus factor was that all cognitive functions were all intact!

PRE-STROKE - After a successful teaching career both at home and abroad I had just been given the opportunity to work part-time, less responsibilities-more freedom and my daughters were now independent - Job done!  Much planned!

HOWEVER - Instead of meeting up with my younger daughter in Kenya as planned I was languishing in a hospital bed unable to move. meeting my elder daughter daily, who at that time was a trainee radiographer spent 5 weeks in DVH, (during which my mother died). I then spent 4 months in a Neurological Unit and was thankful for so much love and support from family and friends.

POST STROKE - Initially, I was under the misguided notion that given a few months I’d be up and running, back to normal so remained quite upbeat. It never occurred to me that wheelchairs and walking aids would still be a prominent necessity even more so now. 

THERE IS LIFE AFTER STROKE! - Maybe not the one envisaged, but a happy and fulfilling life, although I have lost the joy of spontaneity, being the independent person I once was,freedom of movement, being pain-free etc, being pill and potion free…

I STILL – Travel… America, Vienna (city of my birth) plus many other destinations. I went horse riding with thanks to the wonderful RDA. I’m learning German again. I’ve been on retreats. Joined chair yoga- for classes. I volunteered at my local school. But the biggest discovery was (yes, you’ve guessed it) - finding DIFFERENT STROKES. After seeing a poster in rehab, I joined the DS group set up by Jim Currie in Bexleyheath - it was a life changer as is our new group in Whitstable - thanks Jim & Lorri!

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS - At both of these groups I have been so fortunate to have met and enjoyed the friendship and support of so many inspirational people.

Participating in this photographic venture has been fun and inspiring - thanks Andy.

Sharing experiences, supporting each other, having fun - priceless!

Nigel 

I had my stroke at the end of May beginning of June 2023. The stroke left me with problems with my sight due to a Left Temporo-occipital infarct. Cognitive brain issues and an irregular heartbeat. 

With the love, help and support of my Brother, Friends, My Occupational Therapist Neuro Rehab Nurse, Friends from Different Strokes (The Umbrella Centre, Whitstable) & The Stroke Club (The Waterloo Centre, Whitstable), I am in a better place to cope with the everyday things that I now find difficult to do.

My photographs provide an insight from when I first had my stroke to the present day. 

The photograph of the view of Canterbury Cathedral from Albion Place in Canterbury shows a clear view of things, the print is produced on ink-jet photo paper on a laser printer and shows how I see things sometimes since the stroke.

The photograph of the broken lemonade bottle is an example of the problems with my sight and is of a visit to a café not long after having the stroke. As I was leaving the table I didn’t see the bottle on the table and knocked it to the floor.

The photograph of the street art on a wall in Brixton London, shows bright colours and inspires me that, there is a bright future ahead.

Thank you for coming to this exhibition and taking the time to view mine and my friends work, it’s much appreciated.

Steve

I had my stroke whilst jogging on 15th November 2023.  Afterwards, my emotions were raw,including sadness, loss, frustration and anger. Cognitively I was confused and lost, forgetful and tearful.

Joining up with Jim and Lorri from Different Strokes helped me manage my emotions and started my journey back to health, or the new me as I like to refer to myself post-stroke.  Different strokes helped me accept that I had a stroke, helped me accept that life goes on and helped me accept that I am lucky to be here.

That acceptance has given me hope.  There is hope after a life-changing event, hope for the future.  I put that hope down to Different Strokes and the love and patience of my extraordinary wife and son.

I thank Andy for reintroducing my love of photography. I enjoy taking photos and I also get great joy from the energy that this project has given my new friends at Different Strokes Whitstable.