Ex-Royal Marine’s battle after life-changing stroke

Troy Johnson noticed something was wrong when he could not control his right hand while out on a cycle around East Lothian on May 14 last year.

After contacting his wife Pippa, he saw a motorcycle paramedic approaching and tried to raise his hand to hail the potential lifesaver. 

But Troy could not lift his arm or even call out and the paramedic drove on.

He told the Courier how the incident had come as a shock and said: “It was not until my wife turned up and she got out of the car and said I had had a stroke.

“My face had dropped and, in that sense, it was news to me.”

Now, the 53-year-old has cycled 56 miles and made stops at meaningful locations along the way, including where he had his stroke, near the entrance to Luffness Golf Club.

Troy Johnson has completed a memorable fundraiser - just a year after a life-changing stroke. Picture: Derek Anderson

The challenge has already raised more than £2,000 for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS), which has supported him in his recovery, and marks the one-year milestone in his recovery journey.

He spent four weeks at Astley Ainslie Hospital in Edinburgh undergoing extensive rehabilitation and speech therapy.

A cyber security specialist since leaving active service, the Longniddry resident had always been fit and active. 

In the year of his 50th birthday, he completed 50 challenges, including triathlons, unassisted open sea kayak navigations, open sea swims and Munro bagging. 

His anxiety and concern over the immediate effects of the stroke quickly gave way to concern and frustration about when and how he would get better. 

Troy Johnson was joined by Neil Francis on his fundraising cycle. Picture: Derek Anderson

Determined to get back to full health, Troy, who served in the Mediterranean and the Arctic during his time as a Royal Marine, threw himself into his cognitive and physical exercise regime. 

He said: “I got up earlier than the other patients every day, for light exercise, so that I could be ready for the day. It was only around about October, six months or so after the stroke, that I started to feel very fatigued after therapy and exercise. My physiotherapist repeatedly reminded me to slow down and to be kind to myself as there was no rush.” 

The period immediately after the stroke was perhaps the toughest time for the couple as they were also supporting Pippa’s mum June and stepfather Tom with Tom’s terminal illness.  

As the weeks and months passed, Troy was still working hard with exercises and therapy but then he and the family had to deal with the grief of Tom’s passing.

Troy Johnson has completed a memorable fundraiser - just a year after a life-changing stroke

He said: “I had to take stock. I have been practising mindfulness and that had helped me when I felt overwhelmed.

“I did some reflective practices to focus about who I was and that was difficult but ultimately very helpful. 

“No one had told me you can get depressed after a stroke, and I’ve had to be vigilant to acknowledge the signs because I could feel down and frustrated, which was affecting both Pippa and me.” 

Troy was referred to Audrey Bruce, the lead stroke nurse for Lothian at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. She put him in touch with CHSS’s community support services and a meeting was arranged with Neil Francis, another stroke survivor, who is now a trustee of the charity. 

Troy added: “I wanted to communicate with someone who has the same mindset as me.

“Through Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, I was put in touch with Neil and it’s been fantastic. We are quite similar, both goal-orientated and both physically active. 

“Talking to him has been so positive for me. And, through our calls, he helped me decide on taking on a physical challenge.” 

Troy Johnson has completed a memorable fundraiser - just a year after a life-changing stroke. Picture: Derek Anderson

Troy’s fundraising cycle ride started at his home and travelled to meet Neil at North Berwick. Next up was Gullane before reaching Edinburgh to stop off at the recovery stroke ward at the Astley Ainslie. 

The final leg of the journey took him to finish at Dechmont, in West Lothian, paying his respects to his stepfather-in-law who lived there and the support he received from Marie Curie.

Jackie Slater, lead community service co-ordinator in Lothian for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: “Troy and Neil have been through similar experiences and really understand the challenges that strokes can present on the road to recovery. They both are truly inspiring in the way they approach life, setting goals and making the most of opportunities, so that they cannot just survive but also thrive!”

To support Troy, go to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/strokecyclechallenge