Conversation between RAY, Olivia and member of neuro-rehab team:
- Rehab assistant: Thanks for coming today. The purpose of the meeting is to review how you have both been getting on. I understand you have now started phasing back into work – how has that been going?
- Ray: Overall, I think it is going well. I was very tired on the first few days, but I feel that has improved, so I’m wondering about increasing my hours. I’m using the strategies we’d discussed, such as taking breaks, and using the lesson plans – it has been really useful to have the content of the lesson written out for me to work through, especially when I’m interrupted by kids in class. I’ve spoken with my head teacher and she’s happy for me to keep using them next term.
- Rehab assistant: It sounds like you’ve found the strategies helpful. I think we also spoke previously about having a teaching assistant in the classroom with you, how has that been?
- Ray: Do you know what? It has been a lifesaver actually. I’ve never had to step out of class before this happened, but when the class are all speaking at once, or different kids need help from me at the same time, I can feel so overwhelmed, that I just need to leave. I just stand outside the door and take a few breaths, and I do calm down, but if I’m honest, I can then feel really uncomfortable about heading back into class. As I’ve said, I’ve never had to escape a classroom before because I can’t cope, and it is embarrassing, but it is so hard when all the noise and questions come at once.
- Rehab assistant: It sounds like you’ve found a really good way of managing when it feels overwhelming. You said at the beginning of our conversation that you think the phased return to work has been going well, but I can also hear that there are times when it can all feel too much.
- Ray: Yes, I suppose I can be hard on myself. I am tired at the end of the day, and it takes all my weekend to recover. You’d think I’d be fitter and coping better by now.
- Rehab assistant: Fatigue can be very difficult to adjust to following a stroke. Is it ok if I ask Olivia what she thinks? How do you think your dad has been getting on?
- Olivia: I think Dad is doing really well. I’m pleased he has got back to work, but I do see how tired he is and don’t think he should increase his hours at work just yet. I know he is hard on himself about needing to step out of class, but I’ve also heard from kids at school that they think it’s funny to wind him up as he doesn’t seem to understand sarcasm, so he’s having to manage that as well. I think he’s doing really well to manage his temper when his class are trying to provoke him.
- Rehab assistant: How are you getting on Olivia?
- Olivia: It is hard. As Dad said, it takes all weekend for him to recover and he just seems so tired, and stressed out. If I ask for something or interrupt him when he’s trying to concentrate, he is so irritable and just doesn’t seem to notice the impact on me. It is especially hard when my other dad is working offshore.”
