You’re helping Angie soar through the skies 10 April 2020 A Dundee woman defied all the odds to take to the skies, just three years after suffering a serious stroke, thanks to help from her stroke support worker. Angie Wilkinson, 56, had a stroke out of the blue in 2016 which left her paralysed. At first she was only able to move her big toe. A year later, Angie developed circulation problems that meant she had to have her leg amputated. She has been in a wheelchair ever since. But Angie’s life changed for the better when she met Darlene Drummond, lead rehabilitation support coordinator at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. Darlene works with Angie on her own personal goals and helps her get back to hobbies and activities she used to enjoy. Her dreams of flying came true So when Darlene discovered Angie’s passion for flying glider planes, she tracked down a local flight school to make her dreams of taking to the skies come true. Angie gets ready to take to the skies after help from her stroke support worker, Darlene. “After my stroke I felt limited to activities in the house,” Angie explains. “I just felt tired all the time and couldn’t get out and about easily. That was probably the thing that my husband David and I found the hardest. “We used to be so adventurous; I just didn’t feel like myself anymore.” But that’s when she met Darlene and life changed for the better “Darlene was so helpful. She reminded me what life was like before my stroke and showed me that it was possible to get back to doing the things I loved. “I never imagined I’d be able to fly again. It was absolutely amazing. “I have so many happy memories with my husband David spending the weekend flying gliders – it’s really special to have been able to do this again. I never imagined I’d be able to fly again. It was absolutely amazing. “It was a moment I’ll never forget and I can’t thank Darlene enough for reminding me that it is possible to do the things I loved before my stroke. I can live my life to the full.” She’s a true inspiration to us all Darlene said: “I am absolutely delighted that Angie has been able to get back to flying. “It’s something which clearly brings her so much joy. Angie has been so determined and her confidence has grown so much since I first met her. “She is the perfect example of no life half lived and a true inspiration to us all.” Because of your support, Darlene is able to help people like Angie live life to the full after a stroke. Your donations make this possible. Please give what you can to make sure there’s no life half lives in Scotland at www.chss.org.uk/donate