Jan is determined to continue her battle back from paralysis

The 52-year-old mother of one, of Rugby Road, Leamington, was struck down by the haemorrhage and paralysed down the left side of her body 17 months ago.

She went from being an independent woman who worked as a management consultant in the education skills sector to having to rely on regular care.

Jan said: “The doctors didn’t expect me to recover at all and thought I would need 24-7 care for the rest of my life so in that context my recovery is going fine. But I’m still physically disabled and I still have short-term memory loss and other cognitive difficulties.

“It has been difficult going from being fit and healthy to being completely dependent and it’s also had a huge impact on my 13-year-old daughter.

“It’s not just the physical side but also the financial aspect and having to rely on benefits.

“But they thought I would never walk again so I keep on proving them wrong.”

Jan said there is no way of telling the extent to which she will recover but is now able to walk and is feeling some improvement in her left arm.

As part of a regime to build and maintain her fitness she has taken up rowing.

To raise money which will buy equipment to aid her recovery and also support Leamington Rehabilitation Hospital, where she spent three months, and the Different Strokes charity, Jan will join her friend and training partner Michaela Muller in taking part in the British Indoor Rowing Championships in Nottingham on Sunday March 25th.

She said: “Rowing is helping my physiotherapy so it’s not just about the fundraising but that’s the main reason I’m doing it.”

Active Hands, based in Leamington, has donated a glove which will help Jan grip the rowing handle with her left hand while Physiofunction has offered to train her to use rehabilitation devices.

Ali Seal, who has been training both women, said: “This is a huge challenge for both of them.”

For more information visit http://janandmichaelarowing.blogspot.com/