A Jindabyne survivor of stroke who was told he would never be able to ski again has conquered his goal
of returning to the slopes.
In October 2018, then 66-year-old, Bill Jackson, was packing his bags to go on a ski trip when he suddenly collapsed.
“I couldn’t stand up. I tried to crawl up a doorframe and then crawl to my bed, but nothing worked.”
Bill passed out, slipping in and out of consciousness for 13 hours. When he failed to meet up with his friends for the trip the following morning, they knew something was not right.
“My friends called my son who lives close by. He came to the house and found me on the floor. He checked to see if I was alive and then called an ambulance immediately.”
Bill had a stroke. While paramedics arrived within minutes, it was too late to give him clot-busting medication. He was eventually taken to Canberra Hospital for treatment.
“Doctors initially told my wife that I would probably never surf or ski again and may not even walk. I remember thinking, ‘bloody hell, I am headed for the bench’.”
But Bill had other plans. For the next six months he worked hard in rehabilitation with the aim of returning to the mountains to ski. Seven months after his stroke, Bill did it.
“It felt fantastic to go skiing again when you’re told you can’t do it.”
Bill wants other survivors to know that achieving your post-stroke goals, is not impossible. He’s also back in the water building up his surfing skills again.
” I will get up on the board. I won’t stop trying. Every time I set out to do something I think of a quote from another survivor of stroke, Jake Sims, and that was, ‘you don’t get today back’.”
Stroke Foundation Interim Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa Murphy, says while everyone’s stroke journey is different, it is important for survivors to know that there is life after stroke.
“Every progression during recovery and rehabilitation, however big or small, is a milestone and should be celebrated.”
Dr Murphy says a big factor in recovery is receiving treatment early.
“Stroke is always a medical emergency. Getting fast treatment for stroke can be the difference between
death, disability, and a good recovery so it’s important to know the F.A.S.T message, which includes the
common signs of stroke, and identify a stroke as soon as possible.”
There is an easy way for everyone to learn the signs of stroke. The F.A.S.T. test involves asking these questions; F is for face- check their face. Has their mouth drooped? A is for arms- can they lift both arms? S is for speech- Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you? And T is for time- time is critical. If you see any of these signs call triple zero (000) straight away.
