Life can change in a heartbeat, or in Vicky Chard’s case, a shower. At 34, the Flintshire mum was enjoying new parenthood with her partner Carl and their twin boys, Kaine and Kaelen. But what began as a routine shower quickly turned into a life-altering event. Feeling suddenly unwell, Vicky collapsed as her body went numb. Her years of work as a carer clued her in—it was a stroke.
Rushed to Wrexham Maelor Hospital, an MRI confirmed her fears. Swelling on her brain escalated the crisis, leading to a transfer to intensive care in Liverpool. Fortunately, she avoided surgery, but the road to recovery was long and fraught with challenges. Vicky had to learn to walk again, driven by the thought of reuniting with her little ones.
Yet, another blow awaited. During her rehabilitation, Vicky realised she couldn’t see the left side of her world. Tests revealed permanent vision loss in both eyes, marking her as visually impaired and forcing her to relinquish her driving license and reconsider her career as a carer. “You can do this,” she told herself, determined to be there for her twins.
It was a tough adjustment, spiralling into depression and isolation, but support from her family and professional counselling steadied her. Vicky’s resolve strengthened as she realized her boys needed her, motivating her to regain her mobility, even if aided by a cane at first.
Today, Vicky continues her journey with resilience. Her past life may have been disrupted, but her spirit remains unbreakable. Sharing her home with Kaine, who faces his own visual impairment, she navigates life with courage and determination. Empowered by organisations like Vision Support and the Sight Loss Council Cymru, she’s now not just living but also advocating, reminding everyone struggling with vision challenges to “just keep going.”
Life’s unexpected turns might have obscured part of Vicky’s world, but her vision for a nurturing and hopeful future burns brightly. Her story is a testament to perseverance, a beacon for anyone facing the unimaginable.