Who is Ian S Grindey?
👋 Hi, I’m Ian, the forgotten stroke survivor and curator of The Stroke Diaries.
🧐 What are The Stroke Diaries?
I see this Substack as being a catalogue of my post-stroke experiences and things I have learned in the last 6 years since my stroke in 2018.
I am going to try and teach you what I’ve learned about life, nutrition and exercise — getting healthy and staying healthy — and what, maybe, is lurking around the corner (Hint: spasticity is not your friend!) on your road to recovery.
diary
plural: diaries
: a record of events, transactions, or observations kept daily or at frequent intervals : JOURNAL
especially : a daily record of personal activities, reflections, or feelings
How I Got Here (The Hard Way)
There's a saying: "Take care of your body, and your body will take care of you."
But I didn't...
And it didn't.
On August 23rd, 2018, at 9:40 am, aged 57, my body sent me a very clear message.
I had a stroke.
Look, I got myself into this mess. It's only right I get myself out.
But here's what nobody tells you about stroke recovery...
The real problems were only just beginning.
We're talking about fatigue that hits you like a juggernaut—both physically and mentally. Balance issues. Coordination problems. Spasticity. Neuropathy. And that's just the physical stuff.
Then there's the emotional rollercoaster...
Anger. Frustration. Sadness. Grief. Up one minute, down the next. Depression, anxiety, dissociation. I lived in constant fear.
I didn't understand my body, and my body didn't understand me.
Walking and washing became significant milestones.
The Moment Everything Changed
Here's the kicker...
After my stroke, aside from a single unannounced doctor's visit two weeks later, there was nothing.
No visits. No calls. No support at all.
The sound of crickets.
I'd been forgotten.
That's when it became crystal clear: I had no option but to take personal responsibility for my health.
So I've been on a quest ever since—researching, experimenting, failing, and slowly figuring out how to improve my health myself.
What I'm Doing About It
Fast forward six years, and I'm still here.
An acquired brain injury survivor ready to share my unconventional journey back to full health.
I'm documenting everything in real-time through my content pillars:
Stroke Recovery Mastery - The 5 pillars of recovery (physical, cognitive, social, lifestyle, emotional) and what actually works when doing it alone.
Simplified Health & Fitness - Cutting through the BS on weight loss, sugar addiction, and building strength when walking 10,000 steps is easier than doing a push-up.
Life Systems & Productivity - Simple systems for journaling, note-taking, and organising your affairs (because time's precious when you're over 50).
Why I'm Sharing This
I want to give back by sharing the coping techniques and strategies that have helped me navigate this new life post-stroke. ‘Cos i want to hold myself to account, mainly
Because if you're dealing with an acquired brain injury—whether from stroke, accident, tumour, or infection—you know the real challenge isn't just the initial event.
It's dealing with the aftermath.
The fatigue. The coordination issues. The emotional ups and downs. The fear that this is just how life is now.
But I'm here to tell you something important...
There's hope.
And that's what my Substack is all about. Hope.
The Bottom Line
Look, I'm not a doctor or a therapist. I'm not selling you miracle cures or overnight transformations. I’m simply documenting my n=1.
I'm just a grumpy-old man who's been where you are, who's still figuring it out day by day, and who refuses to accept that this is as good as it gets.
If I can continue improving, using simple systems that actually work...
Then so can you.
Let's talk about it,
Ian
⏰ What can you expect
I intend to write to you 3 times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The best bit is once you’ve subscribed, it will all be sent to your inbox - for FREE - so you won’t miss a thing!
So, if the thought of getting my weekly letters doesn’t cheer you up, get your taste buds tingling and your legs a’shaking, then call your Doctor immediately, you could be stroking out again!
but, one final ask before you go…
Why not support my work if you can afford to do so by upgrading to a paid subscription?
This is my work, so I’ll continue writing for you for free, no matter what - you’ve earned it. We’re #strokesurvivors, and in it together!
What added benefits will I get by upgrading to a paid subscription?
✍️ In addition to receiving The Stroke Diaries every day, weekly, you’ll also receive 👇
🔑 The key that unlocks all the archives, so you won’t miss anything and can catch up at your leisure.
Plus:
🗣️ You’ll be able to post comments, join community discussions, suggest topics for a ‘deep dive’ and become an awesome friend …
… who becomes a valued member in a community of stroke survivors with:
❓ Similar questions,
💡 Inspiring achievements and,
🚀 Stories to motivate us all.
All, for as little as 16p per day 🔥
Where else can you find me?
Twitter X : @iangrindey
