Profiles

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



Keith - Interview 28

Keith was sitting on the sofa talking to his wife when he suddenly found he was unable to speak properly and began to feel disorientated. His wife called for an ambulance immediately and he was taken to hospital. The next day he had a similar episode and was admitted to hospital for 3 days during which he had a variety of tests and was diagnosed with a TIA.

  • Background

    Keith is married with one adult son who lives at home. He is a primary school head teacher. Ethnicity; White British.

  • Age at interview 58
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Jennifer - Interview 26

    Jennifer had a major stroke and a TIA at a time when she was caring for her terminally ill husband. She feels that stress played a major factor in precipitating her condition. She has overcome many of the physical symptoms she experienced, but finds it difficult to cope emotionally sometimes, particularly as she is now widowed and living alone. She had always associated strokes and TIA's with elderly people but now recognises that they can affect people of all ages.

  • Background

    Jennifer is widowed and has two adult children. She has retired through ill health. Ethnic Background; White Scottish.

  • Age at interview 55
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Clare - Interview 24

    Clare had a TIA when she was at work one day, an ambulance was called and she was taken to hospital where she stayed in overnight. Her consultant believes it was caused by a trauma to the neck, but Clare is unsure whether this is the case. She felt vulnerable and emotional for some time afterward, and some physical symptoms persisted for a short while but she is now fully recovered.

  • Background

    Clare is married and has three adult children. She works as a drugs counsellor. Ethnic background; White British.

  • Age at interview 50
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Brian - Interview 25

    Brian was sitting at his desk completing some paperwork when he began to feel disorientated and was unable to write coherently. His secretary noticed something was wrong and called for help. He was taken to hospital where after a short while the symptoms disappeared. The duration of the TIA episode was relatively short and there have been no further repercussions since then.

  • Background

    Brian is a world famous author whose novels and stories have been published all around the world, and he has been awarded an OBE for his writing. More recently he...

  • Age at interview 85
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Adrian - Interview 22

    Adrian had a TIA earlier this year one evening whilst he was sitting on the sofa. His partner recognised what was happening to him and called for an ambulance. He received medical assistance very soon after the event and was taken to hospital. His symptoms subsided quickly and he has no lasting effects. He is making changes to his lifestyle and hopes that he will be able to prevent the possibility of having a stroke in the future.

  • Background

    He is divorced with grown up sons, and currently lives with his new partner and her daughter. Ethnic Background’ White British.

  • Age at interview 53
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Gillian - Interview 32

    Gillian received a phone call one day but found she was unable to get to the phone to answer it because her legs were not working as they should. She was seen by a locum GP who didn't think it was a TIA/minor stroke, however later another doctor confirmed that it was likely to have been a mini stroke. She has had a further similar episode since then, which was also confirmed to be a mini stroke.

  • Background

    Gillian is widowed and has a live in carer to help her with day to day activities. Ethnic background; White British.

  • Age at interview 92
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • John - Interview 04

    John was at a conference in 2009 when he briefly lost the ability to speak. He went to his GP next day and was told he had had a TIA. He was immediately referred to hospital.

  • Background

    John is a documentary film-maker, married with one daughter. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 59
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Ken - Interview 40

    Ken was travelling home from a holiday in Crete and felt unwell. Whilst sitting on the aircraft he felt some numbness in his leg and found it difficult to move his left arm up and down. He decided to complete the journey home and on his return contacted his son who was coming to collect him. His son felt that something was wrong as he noticed that his father's speech was slurred, and when his wife and daughter heard what had happened they contacted emergency services straight away. They were tol

  • Background

    Ken is married and has three adult children. He is a retired Air Force Officer. Ethnic background; White British.

  • Age at interview 78
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Michelle ' Interview 37

    Michelle experienced her TIA at the age of 26. She experienced visual disturbance and was unable to speak coherently but after five or ten minutes the symptoms gradually subsided. She had several of these episodes over the following months which were not diagnosed specifically as TIA and then later went on to experience a full stroke.

  • Background

    Michelle is single and lives with her parents. She is currently not working due to ill health. Ethnic background; White British.

  • Age at interview 28
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Russell - Interview 42

    Russell had a stroke in 2006 and then more recently had two TIA episodes. He has been left with short term memory loss, some difficulties with speech, and weakness in his legs. He has a positive approach to his life and continues to keep active and fit.

  • Background

    Russell is married and has two adult children. He is a retired insurance underwriter. Ethnic Background; White British.

  • Age at interview 77
  • Sex/Gender Male