Stroke survivor praises "outstanding" hospital teams on her road to recovery

29.10.25

A 79-year-old woman from Anglesey has shared her inspiring story to mark World Stroke Day, paying tribute to the healthcare teams who supported her through her recovery and helped her regain her independence.

On 9 September 2025, Alexis Ledingham woke up in the early hours of the morning at her home and realised something was seriously wrong.

“I tried to get out of bed but my legs just wouldn’t work,” she recalled. “I couldn’t stand up or move properly. I knew something wasn’t right, so I phoned my son straight away and he rushed me to Ysbyty Gwynedd’s Emergency Department.”

Alexis was seen immediately by medics, who carried out a series of tests and scans that confirmed she had suffered a stroke. She spent two weeks on Prysor Ward, the hospital’s dedicated stroke ward, where she received round-the-clock care.

“For the first two weeks I couldn’t talk properly and I couldn’t walk,” Alexis said. “Those were some of the hardest days of my life, but the staff were just wonderful.

After two weeks in Ysbyty Gwynedd, Alexis was transferred to Ysbyty Eryri in Caernarfon to begin an intensive rehabilitation programme. Over the past month, she has undergone speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy sessions, helping her gradually regain strength, mobility, and confidence.

“Following the stroke, I couldn’t walk independently,” she said. “I moved on to a zimmer frame, then crutches and now I’m walking on my own again. I’m keeping a positive mindset and staying determined — I’d love to get back to my hobbies one day, like badminton and swimming.”

Alexis said she wanted to share her story to give hope to others recovering from a stroke.

“It feels like the end when it happens, but it’s not — you just have to believe that you can make progress. Recovery takes time, patience and hard work, but every step forward counts. The only good thing about having a stroke has been meeting such wonderful people in Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Eryri who have supported me every step of the way. They took care of me in my most vulnerable moments -from the doctors and nurses to the healthcare assistants, physiotherapists, dietetics, occupational therapists and domestic staff — they all went above and beyond.

“I also received lots of encouragement from my friends from the congregation, who visited every day offering encouragement and keeping me motivated.”

Consultant Stroke Therapist Karl Jackson, who is overseeing Alexis’ rehabilitation, praised her commitment to recovery.

“Alexis has made excellent progress and her determination has been key to that,” he said.

“Our team at Ysbyty Eryri provides tailored rehabilitation to help patients rebuild their independence after a stroke — from physiotherapy and speech therapy to psychological and social support. Every patient’s journey is different, and seeing people regain confidence and skills at their own pace is incredibly rewarding.”

Marking World Stroke Day, Dr Clara Day, Executive Medical Director at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, paid tribute to staff across North Wales for their care and commitment.

She said: “I want to thank all our staff for the compassion and dedication they show to patients like Alexis, and for their continued efforts to raise awareness of stroke and the importance of getting help quickly.”

Alexis continues to make steady progress in her recovery and hopes her story will inspire others facing similar challenges to stay positive and keep going, no matter how small the steps may seem.