A Guisborough stroke survivor has told how his life plans have been put on hold due to having a stroke at such a young age.
At 37, Melvin Castillo had enjoyed a fast-paced, fun lifestyle of travel, a career as a software development analyst, and socialising with friends, and was ready to find a partner and have a family.
Then, in April 2018, he had a stroke. With his mobility and speech deeply affected, Melvin had to move home with his parents. His life “went backwards”.
Now age 43, and with such huge changes to his health and life, Melvin wants to raise public awareness of the fact stroke can happen at any age – and how it affects the life milestones that many take for granted.
Melvin said: “I was in my thirties and just having fun with my friends. I used to do lots of photography with sports, nature and landscapes, and fundraising for charities.
“At nearly 38, I was coming to a point in time where I wanted to move forward in life. My eldest sister lived nearby with her son – my nephew – when I used to live in Newcastle Upon Tyne. My little sister had her son I wanted to catch up with her in New Zealand.
“Everything has gone backwards now. I wanted to have my own kids, but now I don’t think it’s going to happen. All my plans for what I wanted to do have just gone backwards and I have to focus on my fitness and speech.”
Five days before his 38th birthday, Melvin was due to travel to Iceland. But unfortunately, just before that he had his stroke.
Melvin said: “Before my stroke, I was spending most of my time working in Newcastle, London, and in Wales and Scotland – up and down the country. I was living in Gateshead. I never had any health issues. I did eat a lot and I really enjoyed going out socially with my friends – things a lot of people in their thirties do.
“The day of my stroke I was heading out to practice my guitar session at Sage Gateshead with friends for the day. I started to get dizzy walking uphill at the car park, then walking down to the reception. Then, in the guitar teaching classroom, I started to shut down.”
Rushed to hospital, Melvin was in a coma for seven days. When he came around, he was faced with the life-changing physical and emotional after-effects of his stroke.
Melvin said: “I pretty much forgot who everyone was. It was very embarrassing.
“It has all knocked my confidence. I still have the difficulties with my speech, and, though I can walk now, I have weakness in the right side of my body.
“Even now, after five years, I still struggle with my voice. My speech was so important in my work. My work had to end. I’m unhappy I don’t have the voice I used to have. I don’t sound like me now.
“I used to be very confident. I’ve always been the kind of person who was always keeping others comfortable and happy and confident. I can’t come across like I used to.”
Melvin says he had hoped his recovery would be quicker so that he could get back on track with what he wanted to do with his life.
Currently still living with his parents after he had to return home for support with his recovery, his independence is further restricted just now due to being unable to drive.
Melvin said: “At first my recovery was going quite fast, and the doctor thought I would recovery significantly within about two years. But unfortunately, my confidence was down, and though my voice, speech and walking improved, it has middled off now.
“I still feel confident that I will get better, but it’s been five years now which is annoying.
“I live which my parents now, which has made things a bit easier, and they are really helpful. But in your forties, when you have had independence, it’s difficult at points.
“I can walk now, but I can’t drive at the moment, and my parents don’t drive so I stay at home most of the time.”
But Melvin is determined to regain his independence and confidence. He hopes to be cleared to drive again soon, which would be a huge step forward.
With his career also on hold just now, he also wants to get back into working.
As part of his rehabilitation Melvin has been supported by the Stroke Association. He has attended one of the Stroke Association’s communication support groups.
Melvin said: “The first time I heard about the Stroke Association was back in 2018 when I was in hospital. My parents got involved doing walks for the charity.
“The Stroke Association has been fantastic. They give me great information. They always give me confidence that I can move things forward.”
Hobbies have also played a significant role in Melvin’s recovery. The DC Comics and JRR Tolkien enthusiast enjoys blogging about his collections and has also taken up crafts and painting.
Melvin said: “I want to get my health and strength back. My hobbies are also something that have helped me start to move forward again. I used to blog and do vlogs about my collections and books. I want to work up to vlogging again, but I still do my blogging. It gives me happiness.”
As Melvin continues to rebuild his life, he wants people to know that support is there from the Stroke Association for anyone impacted by stroke – at any age.
Melvin said: “There are people out there, like the Stroke Association, who can help give you that confidence and support you need in your recovery. By sharing my story, I want to help others.”