Last Reviewed: May 2026

In early 2016 I suffered a stroke, which was a pivotal event in my life. Nearly ten years on, I am as recovered as I ever will be. My left limbs have limited functionality and my hand and foot have none.

I have a ex-wife and a grown-up, left-home daughter. I keep them out of the blog, just to respect their privacy.

I live in a rural location just outside Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK. I am about 20 miles from Stonehenge.

Pre-Stroke:

My academic background is physics and astrophysics. I studied to degree level and still find these subjects fascinating.

In my first job, as a scientist, I ended up focussing on IT and my subsequent jobs were in IT proper. Starting as a programmer, I dabbled as a Project Manager but settled on technical architecture and design. I have worked for banks in both London and New York City. In the few years leading up to the stroke, I took a career break. I was very active, my first love was bicycles and I became a mechanic.

Stroke:

In February/March 2016, I was in hospital for five weeks following a stroke. I was unimpressed by the standard of the care I received, and this experience has flavoured my writing and my dissatisfaction with the NHS.

I was left with a damaged left side. I left hospital in a wheelchair and have learned to walk again. Long-term, my hand and foot are paralysed, everything else on that side is weaker.

The damage to my hand means that I no longer write, don’t drive, and this blog, which started off as a recovery journal, is typed one-handed.

My vision was also affected, and I usually prefer to listen to web pages rather than to use my eyes. My technology allows me to listen to most posts, but not comments (which I normally skip). Non-English posts can also cause problems.

Post-stroke:

As part of my immediate recovery, I began this blog and learned to write, something which still provides immense enjoyment. I have now completed a novel, am writing a second, and regard this blog as a place where I let my hair down.

I also performed voluntary work, both as a ward visitor and as a telephone befriender. Though the work was the most rewarding of my life, I was forced to quit when I returned to full-time, paid work, just as a software developer with a small, local consultancy, working from home. When this assignment finished, I was able to devote time into writing once more.

The stroke meant exposure to both the UK’s health system and its benefits system, at a relatively young age. My experiences are absolutely a part of this site.

I have followed politics since forever, but mostly avoided getting involved with any political party. I once dabbled with the Green Party – I fell out with them eventually (over Brexit) but that indicates broadly where my beliefs lie.

I penned a more detailed biography when I first started the blog back in 2017. Please bear in mind the page’s age, also that it is no longer maintained.