If you ask me…Patricia Blythe

Patricia Blythe is a 68 year old stroke victim who lives at Brighton’s award winning New Larchwood Extracare Scheme which opened last July.

Who has influenced you the most?
My sons I have watched them grow up into inspirational adults – I am so proud of them.

Which professional has helped you the most?
The Physiotherapists – after my stroke I was in need of much recuperative physiotherapy, and they have helped to improve my paralysis. They do a wonderful job, and not enough people realise.

What one thing would make your life better?
I would like to have even more physiotherapy. The treatment has made such a difference to the functioning that I do have left after the stroke. I strongly believe that the more regular attention I could get the more my mobility would improve.

What three words would best describe you?
Becoming a vegetable

What event most changed your life?
In October 2005 I suffered a stroke, taking me from a very active person with a full life to the position I now find myself in.

What super power do you wish you had?
To me now, being able to walk would count as a super power!

What is your favourite book, and why?
I really enjoy reading all sorts of literature, so much so, that I cannot name a special favourite

If you won the lottery how would you spend it?
There is so much poverty and injustice in the world: I would like to do my little bit to help put the balance right. I would give money to the impovershed children in Africa without hesitation.

What is your greatest achievement?
I have plenty of time these days to reflect on my past achievements – I think that my proudest memories are of all the work that I have been involved in with young people over the years and some time ago I became a surrogate mum which was an amazing experience and one of the most worthwhile things I have done.

What makes you angry?
Because of all my years in the hotel industry I am now quite intolerant of bad service.

Who would you like to swap places with?
To be honest I wouldn’t want to swap my life with anyone else’s, as I have many good friends and love my sons. The only reason that I may be tempted to swap would be to have the ability to walk again – so that I could have more of my old life back!

Who do you most admire?
It has to be Lady Diana! She was quite an icon of her time wasn’t she? She did so much for other people in the most genuine, caring way. I thought she was a beautiful young woman and it was so sad that she died so tragically young, before she had the chance to carry on with more of her pioneering charity work across the world.

What cause would you fight for?
I believe that everyone should have the basic right to freedom – so Freedom for all – it has to be.

How would you like to be remembered?
I would like to believe that all those who have known me throughout my life would remember me for the kindness that I have always tried to show to others.

What is the most important lesson that you have learned?
To always live your life with humility

What would you spend your last £20 on?
Well – I suppose it’s common sense really isn’t it? Food!