04/12/2025
Margaret’s Journey - Strength, Setbacks, and the Remarkable Road Back
When Margaret first came to us last year, only a short time after her stroke in June 2024, she was facing several challenges that were affecting her day-to-day life. Her balance had declined, her walking had become difficult, and fatigue was making even simple activities draining.
Her goals were clear:
✨ To get into her daughter’s car with confidence again
✨ To climb her stairs at home without feeling completely wiped out
✨ To get in and out of bed independently
And through hard work and determination, she did exactly that.
Within a matter of months, Margaret not only reached these goals, she surpassed them. Soon she was setting new challenges, including practicing her walking outdoors and building up to walking to the local bus stop independently so she could take trips into town without relying on others.
But early in 2025, Margaret’s journey took an unexpected turn.
She became severely unwell due to an infection and was admitted to hospital, where she remained for over six months. Due to additional health conditions, her family were told multiple times that she might not make it through the night... But Margaret came back fighting!
During this long stay, Margaret experienced hospital-acquired deconditioning, a rapid loss of strength, mobility, and physical ability caused by prolonged bed rest and illness. By the time she was discharged to a local nursing home, she was significantly weaker, unable to stand without hands-on assistance, only able to walk short distances with a zimmer frame and close supervision, and fatigued from simply moving between rooms
But true to who she is, Margaret refused to give up. Her spirit, determination, and belief in herself never left, even when her body needed time to catch up.
Over the past several weeks, with consistent physiotherapy, unwavering support from her daughter, and the incredible staff at Graceland Nursing Home (who have been amazing at collaborating with us and helping Margaret continue exercises between sessions), she has made extraordinary progress.
And today, we are so proud to share a milestone that means more than words can express: Margaret has taken her first steps with a quad stick since her long hospital stay began at the start of the year!
This achievement represents so much more than a few steps. It represents recovery after near loss, strength after setback and belief in yourself even when the hill feels too steep to climb.
Margaret’s story is a powerful reminder that progress is not linear, but with determination, encouragement, and the right support, you can reclaim far more than you thought possible.
Margaret, we are honoured to be part of your journey, and this is only the beginning of what you will achieve.
Stay tuned.... there will be more of Margaret's progress to come!
