Heywood resident Ted Dyson has been on the road to recovery since suffering a stroke in March 2024, and couldn’t be more grateful for the assistance of Heywood Rural Health.

The Heywood born man was just returning to live in his hometown when the health dilemma hit him.

He was sleeping in a tent, waiting to move into his new house when the medical emergency occurred.

When the stroke hit, Mr Dyson was transported to Warrnambool for care.

“I can remember going through Port Fairy and then after that, I couldn’t remember anything for a couple days,” he said.

It took me nearly a week before I could think about what was happening, what I was doing and where I was – then eventually I came good – but I’m still not good.”

My Dyson was transferred from Warrnambool hospital to Portland District Health and then respite care at Heywood Rural Health for about three weeks until his house was settled.

Moving into his new home allowed Mr Dyson to gain some independence, and after an aged care assessment, he was approved for Commonwealth Home Support Programme Services.

Now almost a year later, Mr Dyson has some right-sided weakness and loss of function in his hand.  He has not been able to return to driving and now has a gopher to get out and about in the community.

To help Mr Dyson, Heywood Rural Health organises someone to visit and take care of the heavier household duties once a fortnight, arranges for lawns to be mowed monthly, and a district nurse checks in with him regularly.

Mr Dyson also receives Meals on Wheels twice a week and attend a social support group, ‘Riverwood’ once a week.

Heywood Rural Health also arranges a lift for Mr Dyson to the Heywood Riverwood Centre to participate in a range of activities and go out on group outings.

HRH aims to take the pressures off Mr Dyson so he can focus on his assigned exercises and getting back to himself.

A builder at heart, he hopes to get into the position where he is able to do jobs on his new house – first on the agenda, fixing up his front veranda.

Until then, he has been patiently working on his right-hand movement and practising writing. “I can sometimes guide this writing hand with my left hand to keep it on the right track,” he said.

“You have to be patient with yourself, or you don’t get anywhere, I suppose. Everybody I’ve spoken to here has been really good.  So I couldn’t have landed in a better place really”.

Thank you to the Portland Observer for this wonderful article and photo.