The Brain Charity

Five years ago, Michelle’s life changed overnight. A stroke caused by high blood pressure left her unable to stand or walk despite years of trying to look after her health.

Today, Michelle is a familiar and much-loved face at The Brain Charity, where she says she has found confidence, connection, and support she never expected.

“I came to The Brain Charity — and I haven’t looked back since,” she says. “You can’t get rid of me now.”

The day everything changed

Michelle had her stroke in May 2020. In the years before, she had made significant lifestyle changes — giving up smoking and drinking in an effort to protect her health.

She said:

“I thought I was doing everything right. I really believed I could fix things on my own.”

But despite her efforts, her blood pressure remained dangerously high, leading to a stroke and a bleed on the brain.

She remembers waking up one morning and immediately knowing something was wrong.

“One of my legs just wouldn’t work. I tried to get out of bed, but I fell straight back in. I literally couldn’t stand.”

Her son called an ambulance, and Michelle was taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital before being transferred to Broadgreen Hospital, where she spent four months recovering.

“It was only then that I really understood how serious it all was.”

Learning to walk again after a stroke

Michelle worked tirelessly during her hospital stay. Eventually, she returned home on her son’s birthday, the 3rd of September.

She told us:

“It was really hard work, but it was worth it for him.”

She remembers relearning how to walk, starting by holding onto bars, before progressing to assisted walking with a stick.

“It felt like starting all over again.”

Finding The Brain Charity

After her stroke, Michelle was signposted to The Brain Charity by the Stroke Association. In fact, it wasn’t her first connection — years earlier, the charity had supported her son with form-filling.

From her very first visit, Michelle says she felt reassured.

“I know that if I have a problem, I can talk to someone — and if they can’t help directly, they’ll always find someone who can. That means everything.”

Confidence in the Neuro Gym

Michelle is now an avid user of The Brain Charity’s specialist Neuro Gym, where she works closely with in-house physiotherapist Louisa.

She said:

“I always look forward to seeing Louisa. She pushes me to do hard things — but she always praises me too. She gives me confidence and reminds me not to be so hard on myself.”

That confidence has been transformative.

“The gym has made me feel able to try things I might not be able to do yet — without being afraid of failing.”

Michelle has considered joining other gyms, but always comes back to the same conclusion.

“I know I wouldn’t get this level of understanding anywhere else. This isn’t just a gym — it’s everything around it.”

She describes the support as holistic. When Michelle needed help with paperwork, Louisa supported her with forms, helped her apply for a Merseytravel bus pass — and even hand-delivered documents for her.

“When I need help, I know I can get it. That reassurance is priceless.”

Finding confidence and support

Before coming to The Brain Charity, Michelle says she wasn’t a very confident person. Now, that has changed.

She told us:

“The social side is second to none. Everyone is included, and that makes such a difference.”

She says that being part of an inclusive and welcoming environment has helped her connect with others in ways she never felt able to before.

“I’ve made so many friends here. I feel comfortable engaging with people now — I wouldn’t have done that in the past.”

Three words say it all

If Michelle had to sum up The Brain Charity in just three words, she knows exactly what she’d say:

“Excellent. Friendly. Helpful.”

She laughs:

“I could go on — but three words is enough.”

For Michelle, recovery hasn’t been about doing everything alone. It’s been about finding the right support, the right people — and a place where she knows she belongs.