Simone's Story

Simone's Story

We kind of take for granted just the little things that we can do.

Simone thinks of herself as a positive person, which has helped massively through her recovery from a stroke and heart transplant. She still has to adjust how she goes about everyday activities, even sometimes losing her breath from walking up a small hill. But finding things she likes to do and, in her words, “just getting on with it” helps her enjoy moving about, whether she’s dancing with her partner or walking to the local museum.

Please note that the stories, experiences, and activities depicted here were all captured prior to COVID-19. To ensure your safety, please follow the latest government ‘Stay At Home’ guidance related to COVID-19 and being active.

I don’t know, I don’t what’s – none of us know what’s going to happen. I mean I didn’t expect to have a transplant when I was 27. I was born with a congenital heart defect, so that means that I had one pumping chamber that worked and only 3 valves instead of 4. So that led up to me having a stroke when I was 19. I put on a poker face so I could have a really bad day - when I go out no one will ever know. But you know behind closed doors, yeah, I have my little problems you know. It’s normal every day stuff, like obviously when you’re cleaning, making a cup of tea, those little things that I think everyone, we kind of take for granted just the little things that we can do. Which you know obviously I did until I had my stroke. So yeah. My doctor he said that I should walk 2 miles every day. I don’t walk 2 miles every day. Don’t do it every day. But you know I try to like my partner and I will walk to the museum near me which is for me I’d say its 20 minutes half an hour away cause my legs are small, for my partner it’s probably like 5 minutes (laugh). So, and that, you know walking up that hill can be very strenuous, so I have to take a break. I’ll be out of breath; my legs start hurting and then I go again. We play, I think it’s called Just Dance. That’s really good. I’m really good at it. I’m really good I get like high scores. Better than my partner, so yeah (giggles) so, it’s fun, it’s fun. Even though I am tired, I’m out of breath, it’s fun. So, and you know we’re both enjoying, it’s someone doing something with me, I’m not doing it by myself. You will have your down days, and you have to kind of accept that. It’s difficult to accept it but you will accept it. But just so kind of you know just keep pushing and setting goals for yourself, it doesn’t have to be huge goals it can be very small. Set goals for yourself, strive for that. And be positive. Smile through it. And think you know, like I kind of think when I do have my down days I start thinking about my donor’s family because they lost somebody so I mean that could of been me. So just be grateful for the fact that you’re alive and that you’re here and you’re a survivor. You know.

How Simone Gets Moving

Simone tries to move more on the days that she’s able to, going on walks with her partner and finding ways to keep her step count up. She also finds ways to make being active more enjoyable, like dancing around the living room or playing with her niece

Related Resources

Here are some resources related to Simone’s story about moving more:

Stroke Association - Getting moving after a stroke