Glasgow Stroke Survivor Takes on Fitness Fundraising Challenge to Inspire Others

On Sunday he will take on the high-octane Hyrox fitness race at the SEC in Glasgow to raise money for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.

The 44-year-old said: “If I tell people I’ve had a stroke or a pacemaker I get the reaction of “Oh but you’re so young”. People have a certain image of what a stroke survivors or pacemaker recipient looks like. But people can live with these conditions. I’ve been very lucky and I’m very aware with these conditions sometimes it’s the cards you’re dealt.

“I’ve got very vivid memories of lying in a hospital bed thinking: “What’s my life going to be like?”.

“I had slurred speech following my stroke, but it cleared up quite quickly. I also had a lot of weakness in my left side.

“I was lucky and recovered well physically in a couple of months. However, I was still experiencing a lot of mental fatigue at work even after 18 months.

“10 years on I’m fitter and stronger than I was. My quality of life is a lot better and I’m a lot more active.

“I know there will be someone who is sitting right now in at home or in hospital in their 30’s or 40’s thinking: “How did I get here?”. I want them to know – you’re there now but you’re not there forever.”

Craig is taking part in the relay version of Hyrox which will see him tackle a 1km run followed by a 152kg sled push for 50m, a second 1km run and a farmer’s carry with 2 24kg kettle bells for 200m.

It’s a big task for anyone but it’s a testament to the hard work solicitor Craig has put in over the last few years.

He said: “Like a lot of people I put on weight during the pandemic. So I signed up for a personal trainer, who’s helped me get fitter and do things I didn’t think I was capable of from lifting weights to completing Couch to 5k. I’m not the strongest or fittest person, but I’m stronger and fitter than I was.

“I wanted to fundraise for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland because it’s a charity I’ve heard about for a long time. I wasn’t able to do something before but they’re a good charity and I was doing this event, so I was a good fit.”

Two years after his stroke, the 44-year-old suffered vasovagal blackouts which led to a pacemaker being fitted.

He said: “When they talked about a pacemaker when it first happened it freaked me out because I didn’t know what a pacemaker was. I thought it was something like open heart surgery and I felt really scared. Thankfully, a nurse in hospital explained more and I went and researched it online too. I know you shouldn’t always do a ‘Dr Google’ search, but when I learned the first patient to receive an implanted pacemaker in 1958 outlived both the man who invented it and the surgeon who put it in, I felt really reassured.

“The last time I was in getting it checked they said it’s likely I won’t have to have it changed for long time, partly because I’m fitter than I used to be which is good.”

Louise MacLeod, the Community, Events and Corporate Fundraiser for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland said: “We wish Craig the very best ahead of his challenging fundraiser.

“Craig’s story is a great example of the importance of looking after yourself when living with a chest, heart or stroke condition. One of the key points in our new No Life half Lived strategy is helping people to live their lives well.

“Fundraising events like this help us to support the 1 in 5 people across the country who are living with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long Covid to live their lives to the full.”

You can support Craig’s fundraiser by visiting his JustGiving page.

If you’re living with the effects of heart disease and stroke and looking for advice and information, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text NURSE to 66777 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk.