I had a stroke over 3 years ago and I lost the use of my right arm, hand and leg. When I was recovering in the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath early on, it was very overwhelming. Dr Tom, from ARNI, came and visited me to train me one to one for a number of weeks, alongside his ARNI trainer Jo. They did specialist upper limb rehab with me as part of a research study that he and Dr Khalid Ali (the main stroke consultant there) were running. I found the physio and OT support from the local NHS Trust was ok but in the end, nowhere near long enough.
I’ve continued to use ARNI instructors since I left hospital and can honestly say itβs the best thing I have done to aid my recovery. I have gone from a wheelchair, to walking unaided and I’ve recovered use of my arm and hand. This was down to a lot of hard work from myself and my ARNI instructor.
I’ve found the techniques used by ARNI to be essential in my recovery and highly recommend them. They encourage you, and teach you to work at the edge of your abilities. They encourage a growth mindset and above all give you hope that things can improve. Itβs worth noting that this takes a lot of hard work and my ARNI instructor was always there to instruct me, encourage me, motivate me and celebrate the successes with me.
I have attended a number of ARNI workshops, and met a number of like minded Stroke Survivors, all of whom would recommend ARNI. The workshop offers free 1 to 1 rehabilitation and is in a plush Hotel in Lingfield. To reiterate, ARNI are an excellent organisation with first hand experience of Stroke rehabilitation. Life without their excellent knowledge, motivation and instruction is unimaginable. I continue to work with this amazing charity and I thank all involved at ARNI. I would really recommend ARNI as the way to go.
