When Robert Twongyeirwe suffered a stroke on the age of 35 in December 2012, his life modified dramatically. A former college inspector on the Ministry of Training, he abruptly misplaced his independence and supply of revenue.
ALSO READ: Your blood kind impacts danger of early stroke, research reveals
Within the days main as much as the stroke, he skilled physique weak spot, dizziness, and frequent complications. Involved about his situation, he deliberate to go to a hospital on December 21. Nevertheless, earlier than leaving house, he collapsed.
ALSO READ: Stroke: What’s behind rising prevalence in younger adults?
“I awakened at round 5 a.m. to make use of the bathroom, however I fell down and misplaced consciousness,” he recalled.
His spouse helped him again to mattress after he regained consciousness. When he awakened once more round 6:30 a.m., he found that the left aspect of his physique was paralysed. He was rushed to King Faisal Hospital, the place medical doctors discovered that he had hypertension, which was later recognized as the reason for the stroke.
The daddy of 4 had beforehand been identified with hypertension and prescribed treatment, however he stopped taking it after finishing the preliminary remedy.
“Once I completed the medication they gave me, I someway relaxed. I didn’t proceed the treatment till I bought that drawback,” he stated.
He spent three weeks in hospital and started physiotherapy instantly. He later attended each day rehabilitation classes at a clinic in Gisement for 2 years.
The stroke severely affected his speech and mobility. For 2 months, he communicated primarily by way of gestures and writing.
“I may solely use indicators. If I needed one thing, I’d level at it or write it down,” he stated.
Though his reminiscence remained intact, injury to the a part of the mind chargeable for language affected his speech. Some bodily limitations additionally persist. At his worst, he may neither stroll nor stand with out help.
“You change into disabled. You can’t transfer or stand until you might be supported. Immediately, I estimate I’ve recovered between 70 and 80 p.c. For me, that could be very large progress. I can now discuss. I can journey on my own. I can do virtually every part for myself,” he stated.
Twongyeirwe continues to take treatment for hypertension and sometimes seeks specialised remedy. Whereas grateful for his restoration, he says stroke survivors typically face stigma, significantly in employment.
“Some folks would say, ‘Can you actually handle to work?’ But the truth that I handed the written interview implies that I’m in a position. I can work,” he stated.
By means of Stroke Motion Rwanda, he has seen many survivors lose their jobs regardless of having the {qualifications} and expertise to proceed working. He urges employers to retain or reassign staff who develop disabilities and to recognise their talents somewhat than their limitations.
Twongyeirwe additionally encourages folks to recurrently monitor their well being, handle circumstances comparable to hypertension and diabetes, recognise the warning indicators of stroke, and search rapid medical consideration when signs seem.
“When you detect these signs as early as doable, you may take measures earlier than you get struck,” he stated.
How Does Stroke Manifest?
Stroke, also known as a “mind assault,” happens when blood circulation to the mind is blocked or when a blood vessel within the mind ruptures, in keeping with Dr. Joseph Rukelibuga, authorized consultant of Stroke Motion Rwanda, a assist organisation based by stroke survivors.
Stroke is among the many main causes of demise in Rwanda. In response to the Nationwide Institute of Statistics of Rwanda's Important Statistics Report 2025, stroke accounted for 353 deaths (3.9 p.c) amongst males and 386 deaths (5.4 p.c) amongst females in group mortality knowledge.
“An ischemic stroke occurs when the blood provide to the mind is blocked, whereas a hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel within the mind bursts,” he defined.
Dr. Rukelibuga stated stroke generally presents by way of three key warning indicators, remembered utilizing the acronym FAST: face drooping, arm weak spot, speech problem, and the necessity to search care instantly.
“Anybody, together with youngsters, can have a stroke, however the danger will increase with age and is usually larger amongst males. About one in 4 strokes are recurrent, which means individuals who have already had a stroke face a larger danger of getting one other.”
He famous that smoking, extreme alcohol consumption, bodily inactivity, unhealthy diets, hypertension, excessive ldl cholesterol, diabetes, and weight problems all improve the chance of stroke.
“Hypertension is the one most vital treatable danger issue for stroke. Stopping, diagnosing, and controlling it by way of way of life adjustments and drugs is important to decreasing stroke danger,” Dr. Rukelibuga stated.
To decrease the chance, he inspired common bodily exercise, a nutritious diet wealthy in fruit and veggies, sustaining a wholesome weight, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol consumption, and managing underlying well being circumstances.
Dr. Rukelibuga added that stroke is a medical emergency, noting that each minute a stroke goes untreated, about 1.9 million mind cells die.
“Delayed remedy can lead to everlasting mind injury, incapacity, or demise. Getting a affected person to hospital as rapidly as doable, ideally by ambulance, can enhance the possibilities of well timed remedy and restoration.”
