Stroke : Survivors Share Varied Struggles

Philip Z., a 62-year-old-man, has been living with the long-term effects of a stroke that occurred 15 years ago, at the age of 47. The incident left him with partial paralysis on the right side of his body, significantly impairing his mobility. Despite extensive therapy, Philip's movement remains limited, and he relies heavily on crutches to walk. His condition has also rendered him largely dependent on others for daily care, as he is unable to perform everyday tasks unaided. A medical catheter has become essential in managing his urinary and bowel movements. Following his stroke, Philip's wife left him, and he is now cared for by a housekeeper. The stroke has had a profound impact on Philip's life, as well as that of his family and friends. His world is now largely confined to his bedroom and hospital visits, a far cry from the life he once knew.
Since the stroke affected Philip's speech, he has found it impossible to engage in meaningful conversations with anyone. His brother, Paul, spoke emotionally to a Cameroon Tribune reporter about the challenges of discussing Philip's current state. “Whenever my brother has a health crisis, we are forced to spring into action and rush him to the hospital,” Paul explained. Philip has been living with kidney failure and hypertension, which makes his daily life incredibly challenging. “It's the life of someone struggling to regain even the smallest amount of vitality-it's not easy,” Paul underlines.  Given Philip's chronic kidney failure, he requires regular dialysis sessions every week, placing an enormous strain on him and the family. “I think it's fair to say that no one can truly comprehend what he's going through, not even within our own family,” Paul lamented. Family members find it heart-breaking to see Philip in this state, especially when they recall his former vitality. “We are torn between accepting reality and refusing to believe it is happening,” Paul admitted. 
Mariana, another stroke survivor, suffered a severe episode in 2022 and tragically passed away in 2025. The diabetic patient had the stroke while attending a wedding in Buea. After initial hospital treatment, she was transferred to a traditional healing unit, where she received care for three months. Upon discharge, Mariana was prescri...