SnapShots of a Stroke Recovery: Stroke Association Creative Arts Award Winner 2014

Each of these Snapshots gazes into the mind of a stroke survivor. There's anger, confusion, warmth, optimism and laughter. If you've had a stroke, you'll know. If you are in a caring profession, you'll get an insight into what it's really like to be on the other side of the hospital bed linen. If you're neither of the above, it's a bloody good read anyway! In June 2014, Pieter Egriega was presented with the Stroke Association's Creative Arts Award at the charity's annual Life After Stroke awards, during a star-studded ceremony at the London's Dorchester Hotel. In June 2013, without any warning, Pieter had a major stroke as he was getting into bed. He was rushed to hospital and where he received life-saving treatment and later underwent regular physiotherapy. The stroke had a devastating impact on Pieter. He was paralysed down the right-hand side of his body and, being right-handed, he thought this would spell the end of the things he cherished most in life - music and painting. Says Pieter: "Coming to terms with the fact that I might never play the guitar or paint again was terrifying. But in some respects, my stroke was the end of one life and the beginning of another. Facing life after stroke is daunting, but when your life is turned upside down, you've got to fight to make the best of a difficult situation. You never know, you might just surprise yourself and all the other buggers too! I was determined not to surrender and short stories were the ideal way for me to channel my emotions. It's good to know that by sharing my experience, I might help the lives of other stroke survivors." During the 1970s and 80s, Pieter was a well-known musician in Manchester, playing guitar in bands The Fall, The Distractions and Ludus under the stage name 'Arthur Kadmon'. He was also a keen painter and song writer and now writes and performs his own tango and flamenco influenced music. He is expecting to release a CD of his music in the coming months. The catalyst for Pieter's remarkable journey after having his stroke came when his his partner, Sareth brought him an iPad into hospital. Using his left hand, Pieter started to tap out his inner-most thoughts. It gave him a new lease of life and six months later, Pieter had written a series of 'snapshots', short stories about his experience of stroke. These stories are often funny, warm and frequently display human insights into the effect of hospitalisation from a serious medical condition. The stories have now been turned into the book, Snapshots of a Stroke Recovery, with half of the proceeds going to the Stroke Association. The book tells the story of Pieter's remarkable recovery from stroke and the challenges he's had to overcome. He has also written several songs about his journey back from stroke. Jon Barrick, Stroke Association Chief Executive, said; "Pieter is a shining example of the tremendous courage people show in rebuilding their lives after stroke. His stories have inspired and empowered many other stroke survivors. "We believe in life after stroke. By working with people like Pieter, we are helping to change the world for people affected by this devastating condition. He is a worthy winner of this award." Music, writing and drawing has been such a powerful driving force behind Pieter's recovery and against all the odds, Pieter is learning to re-master the guitar and is working on a second book.