My name is Sanelisiwe Mthembu. I am 41 years old, and I live in Durban, Mayville.
On the 2 July 2018, my life changed. At the time I was 37 years old. It was 4 o’clock in the morning. I was at my boyfriend’s place. As I was trying to get out of bed to start getting ready for work, I fell. I thought my legs were just weak. My boyfriend immediately grabbed his cellphone and called my sister to come help. While he was explaining to her what had happened, I remember he mentioned he saw that something was wrong, but he ignored it. My sister arrived and my boyfriend carried me on his back to her car.
Once we arrived at the hospital and a doctor examined me. We were told I suffered a stroke. I was in so much shocked. I spent the whole night asking the Lord “Why me? I’m still young.” I was in hospital for over a month. I started off at Addington Hospital for a couple of weeks doing scans to find out what was the cause of the stroke. Unfortunately, they couldn’t find the cause, so I was transferred to Abert Luthul Hospital. I was there for a month with doctors trying to find the cause and attending rehabilitation. With the assistance of rehabilitation, I was able to start walking within a month.
Before my stroke I was a mother of two. I was working for a Construction Company that built living facilities for students. After my stroke I decided to leave my job and was paid for the time I was working for the company. My doctor advised me to apply for disability grant since I wouldn’t be getting an income anymore. Throughout my whole recovery journey both my children and family were very supportive.
Right now, my children and I have moved into our own place since I’m able do everything for myself and my kids. I thank God everyday for what He has done for me. I’m not the same. I don’t like having company anymore, I just prefer being alone. I am thankful that a couple of months ago I found a support group. It has helped a lot not to be ashamed of myself and embrace the person I currently am.
Currently, when I have to walk far distances, I still use a cane, but not around the house. I’m also still attending physiotherapy once a month as an outpatient and do exercises at home on other days. “I still have faith that I will recover no matter what. God saved my life for a reason even though the doctors couldn’t find the cause.”
“I was one of the lucky ones.”
