Valentine’s Day: Wife tells how husband’s stroke ‘has made our love stronger’

It comes as the Stroke Association is aiming to highlight the negative impact a stroke can have on people’s intimate relationships.

More than half of stroke survivors (57%) say their sex life has changed since their stroke, with a third (32%) of these reporting that they are too scared to have sex in case it may bring on another attack, according to new figures.

Belfast couple Frank McKee, 52, and Laraine Spackman, 57, have been married 18 years and have two adult daughters.

Frank was only 47 when he survived a devastating stroke in 2014 that left him paralysed on his right side and with severe aphasia.

Now five years on, Frank continues to work hard on his therapy and fitness to make a remarkable recovery despite a very poor prognosis. Although he still struggles with speech he has regained a lot of strength and independence.

Laraine said: “After Frank’s stroke, his disabilities, particularly his aphasia and difficulty in communicating have placed extreme emotional and physical challenges on our relationship. It was frightening and isolating for us in a way that pushed us much closer together than we had been in the years before Frank’s stroke.

“It has been gruelling at times but we’ve found hidden aspects and qualities in ourselves and in each other that only such a tragedy could have unearthed.

“The support of our daughters, our faith in recovery and determination to hold tight to our humour, good food, wine and even dancing a rhumba, have kept us strong.

“Now five years on, we know each other better, love continues to grow and we are a much stronger couple.”

Bridget Bergin of the Stroke Association said: “Relationships change, with many stroke survivors saying that the person who was once their partner has now become their carer.”