Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Vernon - Interview 10

Vernon first had a TIA 4 years ago. His wife called an ambulance when he collapsed. He had a second TIA a year ago and saw his GP, who sent him to hospital for further tests. Since then he has been fine.

  • Background

    Vernon is married with 3 adult children. He is a retired estate secretary and livestock manager. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 94
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Geoff - Interview 16

    Geoff was in bed one morning when he felt sick and lost consciousness. His wife called for an ambulance and he was taken to hospital where he was admitted for 10 days. Although he has recovered, he still experiences some weakness in his right arm and hand, and has been left with some visual problems which now prevent him from driving.

  • Background

    Geoff is married and has three adult children. He is a retired bank employee. Ethnic Background; White British.

  • Age at interview 68
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • George - Interview 19

    George had a TIA whilst sitting at home on the sofa; he suddenly found himself unable to speak and was paralysed down one side for a short while. He has since had another TIA in which he experienced similar symptoms. He worries that this may happen again and has lost confidence in himself through feeling depressed and stressed.

  • Background

    George is married with one adult daughter. Ethnic background; White British.

  • Age at interview 77
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Angus - Interview 06

    Angus had 2 TIAs in December 2009. The first time he briefly lost his speech, which he knew was a symptom of stroke; the second time, 2 days later, he lost vision in one eye, and did not realise till he went to his GP that it was connected.

  • Background

    Angus works as a fence erector for sports events. He is married with 3 adult children. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 61
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Frank - Interview 05

    Frank lost his speech and use of one arm at the end of a long-haul flight. He was told he had a hole in his heart which may have contributed to the TIA, but he has decided not to have an operation to repair it.

  • Background

    Frank is retired and in his 60s. He is married with two adult children. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Stella and Deborah - Interview 20

    Stella had a stroke in 2009 and her left side was paralysed. She spent several months in hospital and now lives in a nursing home. Since the stroke she has had several TIAs, which often leave her feeling tired, but she does not remember much about them.

  • Background

    Stella is a retired teacher, and she is widowed. Her daughter Deborah is a self-employed book-keeper. Ethnic background/nationality: White English.

  • Age at interview 82
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Phillip - Interview 02

    Phillip had a TIA in 2008. His arm felt heavy and his vision was affected. He went to the GP next day, and 2 weeks later had a carotid endarterectomy (surgery on an affected artery). He is taking part in a TIA research study.

  • Background

    Phillip is married with 2 children. He is a retired physicist and physics teacher. Ethnic background’ White English/Australian.

  • Age at interview 72
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Susan - Interview 33

    Susan has been registered as disabled since she sustained a spinal injury in an industrial accident 15 years ago. She has a complicated medical history and suffers from a number of medical conditions including fibromyalgia, adrenal fatigue, allergies, Reynaud's, peripheral neuropathy, and ME. She was diagnosed with a TIA several years ago after an episode where she felt confused, spaced out, unable to coordinate her speech and thinking, and generally confused and muddled.

  • Background

    Susan retired from her job in pharmacy sales 15 years ago following an industrial accident. Ethnic background; White British.

  • Age at interview 55
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Peg - Interview 21

    Peg had some numbness which she thought at first was a migraine. After 3 days she went to the GP, who said it might be a TIA. She went to hospital for tests and was told it wasn't a TIA, but she is waiting for an MRI scan to investigate further.

  • Background

    Peg is a retired benefits manager. She is married with no children. Her ethnic background is white British.

  • Age at interview 71
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Gilly - Interview 29

    Gilly collapsed at work and was taken to hospital by her colleague. Although TIA was mentioned as a possible diagnosis, Gilly was told to see her GP the next day, however some months later Gilly still does not have a definitive diagnosis and is still waiting for an appointment with the neurologist.

  • Background

    Gilly is married and has five children who are mostly now grown up and living independently. Ethnic background; White British.

  • Age at interview 51
  • Sex/Gender Female