World Stroke Day: The 36-year-old who is showing that life isn't over after a stroke

On World Stroke Day we are celebrating the rehabilitation journey of Cardiff-based former head-chef Enrique as he returns to CrossFit and the things he loves doing, after suffering a devastating stroke last year, aged 35.

Ten months after being discharged from the Stroke Rehabilitation Centre at Llandough, Enrique is back as a volunteer, bringing hope and joy to other stroke patients.

In September 2023, Enrique, a CrossFit enthusiast and head chef at a Cardiff restaurant, suffered a life changing stroke. 

During his recovery Enrique was transferred from the Acute Stroke Ward in UHW to the Stroke Rehabilitation Centre (SRC) at University Hospital of Llandough, where he worked hard, quickly developing a rapport with other patients and playing an active role leading cooking therapy groups.

Just before his discharge Enrique said to a Patient Volunteer, Steve: “The next time you see me I will be wearing the same t-shirt as you” referring to his volunteer uniform.

Enrique was discharged in January 2024 and continued to receive community rehabilitation from the Stroke Early Supported Discharge (ESD) service. The ESD service helped him with his benefit and volunteer applications, to purchase adaptive kitchen equipment, to practise bus routes and outdoor walking, and to apply for a driving assessment with the DVLA.

Enrique was then referred to the Community Neuro Rehab Service (CNRS). He attended a Strength and Balance group and was later referred to the team’s Occupational Therapist Natalie Hughes who supported him to apply for a bus pass, a blue badge and membership of the local library.

As volunteering was very much a top priority for Enrique, Natalie worked with him to complete his DBS application and online training modules to support him to become an NHS Patient Volunteer.

Enrique said, “It was very important to me to return to the Stroke Rehabilitation Centre to volunteer. If it wasn’t for Natalie’s help I wouldn’t have started volunteering yet. Since having a bus pass, I feel I have more independence and I have gained confidence on going to outdoors activities and sometimes exploring new bus routes, so I have really benefitted from Natalie’s help”.

He attends the weekly Strength and Balance Mirror Group; walking football and completed the 6-week ‘Grow Getters’ gardening programme. Enrique said: “Natalie encouraged me to use my left upper limb when gardening. I loved the socialising part of attending the group and benefitting from rehab at the same time”.

Natalie said: “Supporting Enrique has been inspirational. He approaches each session with enthusiasm and drive, with a real sense of determination to succeed.”

In August, Enrique returned to SRC but this time as a Patient Volunteer. He was correct… the next time he saw Steve, they were both wearing Volunteer t-shirts!

Amy Price, Occupational Therapy Technician at the Stroke Rehabilitation Centre said: “Enrique has already had a massive impact on our current patients at SRC. He was like a celebrity guest when he arrived back to volunteer, some people did not recognise him because he looks so well. His soft and gentle nature teamed with his own stroke experience and motivation has provided our patients with an excellent role model to aid their own recovery.

“Enrique has the most impact working one-to-one with our patients, whether that is cooking, befriending or playing pool or chess! I had the joy of watching Enrique and a current patient cooking spaghetti carbonara together this week and it was wonderful to watch him demonstrate how to use our adaptive equipment and the compensatory skills he has learned to cook with one functional upper limb, as well as passing on his cooking knowledge.”

Enrique said: “I always look forward to attending the next therapy group and supporting Amy to run them, but this time as a volunteer and not as a patient. I feel I have a purpose to leave the house and have an enjoyable time. I get so much joy from participating and engaging with the patients and I have made some nice friends. I am happy to show stroke survivors that life isn’t over after a stroke!”.

"He gives hope to patients and their loved ones that life is not over.”

Amy said: “Enrique continues to be an absolute inspiration to our patients and anyone he meets. He gives hope to patients and their loved ones that life is not over.”

James, a patient at the Stroke Rehabilitation Centre said: “I have really benefitted from Enrique’s volunteering by witnessing the progress that he has made since discharge from hospital and what you can achieve with the right mindset. He has also shown me compensatory skills that I will use when I go home. I have made a life-long friend.”

Phil, an 86-year old patient said about Enrique: “He has very similar stroke deficits to me and he has recovered well and continues to progress and that gives hope. He is such a young man for this to happen to and you see he is a real person and shows you there is life after stroke. He is an amazing, smiley person despite facing disabilities.”

54-year-old Jo said: “He is an absolute treasure! He is an inspiration and has such a positive outlook even after all the trials and tribulations that he has been through. When you are working with him on a task one-to-one, you feel like you are having a touch of normality again. He is a very special person. Very kind, very caring and he brings a special kind of energy. His name came before him, a bit like a ‘good rumour.’”

Enrique was very keen to set up a routine for his new post-stroke life and actively sought out things to do. He joined the local Stroke Association group and attends every Monday and he also attends a monthly Stroke social group. He has made friends at these groups, and they provide excellent peer support.

He joined a local community garden project called “Grow Well” at Dusty Forge on Cowbridge Road and helped cook at their weekly food social group. Enrique loves dogs and he has started volunteering with the Guide Dog Association to help look after the dogs that are currently in training. Enrique is a keen chess player and attends a Chess Club once a month at the Boomerang Lounge in Canton.

In July, Enrique moved into a new permanent flat and was supported by friends and family to make it homely. He has settled in well and is enjoying exploring another new area of Cardiff. He has independently travelled to Spain twice to visit his family. He has also completed a driving assessment and has just started refresher driving lessons. Getting back to driving is his next big goal.

"His current goal is to do a ‘burpee’"

CrossFit and climbing were a massive part of Enrique’s pre-stroke life. Despite his post-stroke physical impairments, he has not let this stop him and regularly attends CrossFit classes. The CrossFit coaches adapt the exercises for Enrique, and he is an inspiration to the members in the gym. He also competed in a recent Adaptive CrossFit competition. Enrique attempted climbing at an indoor climbing centre with friends several months ago, he found it challenging but is keen to try again soon. Enrique is working with Neuro Outpatient Physiotherapist Hannah Denty and Natalie to continue his upper limb rehabilitation, and his current goal is to do a ‘burpee’.

Enrique said: “Thanks to my stroke I have discovered activities that I would never have considered doing and I love being able to build a weekly routine with things I enjoy. My long-term goals include climbing and running again, getting back into a kitchen to work, having my own business and driving again.

“I have created a friendship network that I wouldn’t have and met some amazing people along my stroke journey. I am looking forward to the next chapters and I am willing to participate in other stroke volunteering roles to promote stroke recovery!”