Putting Women’s Health First: Angela’s story of recovery and resilience

Living with COPD and recovering from two strokes, Angela attended our Supported Self Management course and found it a huge help to her recovery.

As part of our Women’s Health Plan launch, Angela is bravely sharing her experiences of balancing her recovery with caring for her grandson and supporting her family. 

For much of her life, Angela has been used to putting other people first. As a mum, grandmother and main carer for her grandson, caring responsibilities and busy family life meant her own health and wellbeing could often fall to the bottom of the list. 

Angela had already been diagnosed with diabetes and COPD when, in 2023, she suffered a brain haemorrhage and stroke. Further aneurysms were discovered, resulting in more operations and repeated periods in hospital. Then, in February 2026, Angela experienced a second stroke. 

The impact has been significant. Angela temporarily lost the ability to eat and had to be fed through a tube after the stroke affected her swallowing muscles. Her mobility was affected and she now wears a brace for foot drop. She is also having to relearn how to write.

Angela said: “I couldn’t eat for a while; I had to eat through a tube because the stroke had affected all my swallowing muscles. I can’t write anymore, I’m working on it, but I feel like I’m back in primary 1, learning all over again. 

“I’ve also got foot drop, so I have to wear a brace round my ankle. I still manage to get out and about though, and I’m improving and stronger than I was. But it affected the whole right side of me. It affected everything.” 

Following her second stroke, Angela took part in Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s six-week Supported Self Management course. Initially unsure about attending, Angela found huge value in connecting with others who understood what she was going through. The course also gave her practical tools to manage life after stroke and helped change her outlook on looking after her own health. 

Having spent so much of her life putting others first, Angela says the course helped her recognise that taking time for herself and asking for help isn’t selfish.

Angela said: “I went in with no expectations, but it was amazing what we got taught. We were taught a virtual toolbox, that was broken down into bite-size pieces. It was so helpful. It helped me understand how to problem solve and where to turn for help.  

“It also taught me to think about myself too. Thinking about myself was something I’d never really done before. I would have thought that was selfish, but it’s not selfish. We did self-care, relaxation and meditation which really helped.  

“The way Jude delivers the class is fantastic. She is a beacon of light. Jude is passionate about the course, and you can tell she delivers it from the heart.”  

Angela is now sharing her story to support the launch of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Women’s Health Plan 2026–2029. She hopes that by speaking openly about the impact stroke has had on her life and what she has learned through her recovery, she can encourage other women not to put their own health on hold, to seek help when they need it and to know that they don’t have to manage their recovery alone. 

Angela said: “I kind of struggled through and put my own health on the back burner. 

“Once I was home, it was challenging because I was juggling everything between caring from my grandson and my husband’s father also wasn’t well at the time. It can be quite overwhelming, and you can neglect your own needs. 

“You have to look after yourself so you can look after your family too. If I had the chance again, I would take the time – even if it was only half an hour a day – to look at myself and say, ‘How are you feeling today? Do you need to go to the doctor? Do you need some time just to make sure you’re alright?’” 

“I never used to ask for help, but I’ve learned to ask for help. It’s so important.” 

Jude Murray, Supported Self Management Facilitator in Lothian at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said:  

“Angela is one of the most positive people I have met. She was an absolute delight to have in the group and was so keen to learn and work hard to improve her recovery. 

“Given everything Angela has been through, she is truly inspirational. What stood out was how supportive she was of everyone else in the group. She was not only determined to get as much as she could from the course herself but was superb at encouraging and supporting others too. 

“I’d encourage any women who feel they could benefit from similar support to get in touch with CHSS through our Advice Line or website – we’re here to help.”  

Stories like Angela’s are at the heart of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Women’s Health Plan 2026-2029, which is focused on tackling barriers to support and helping women put their health and wellbeing first.  

Read our plan. Share it. Join us in championing change.