Elin suffered a stroke – during a training session: “Anxiety of death”

Today is International Stroke Day – a day established to raise awareness of stroke and spread knowledge so that we all learn the signs and can act quickly if someone is affected. Because quick help is crucial.

The ambulance arrived in ten minutes

And Elin Andersson, 45, received quick help when she was affected last year. Active as she is, she was at the gym with some friends to do crossfit when she had a vertigo attack.

– I thought it was low blood pressure, so I sat down on the floor. Pretty soon I started to panic and felt that something was wrong. I wasn’t in pain, I just felt like something was terribly wrong. It was a strange feeling, she tells Nyhetsmorgon.

The friends quickly called 112 and the ambulance was on the scene within ten minutes. She was taken to the hospital in Trelleborg.

– I had an extreme fear of death before I arrived. I focused on staying awake, I thought I have to see my children before I die.

“Shouldn’t break me”

Elin Andersson has vague memories of the first time. Her left side was completely paralyzed and no one knew how much mobility she would regain. She was told that she should not expect to make a hundred percent recovery.

– A nurse said that there were three factors that came into play: One was my own motivation and will. The second was what a supportive network of friends and family I had around me. The third was a good lifestyle with exercise, food and sleep. I felt that I can put a check on all three. Damn it, I’m going back! I felt that this would not break me.

Shows his everyday life on Instagram

Today, Elin Andersson uses her own machine. You can follow her journey back on social media, where she shows what life after a stroke can look like with different types of rehabilitation.

– It has given me an incredible amount. I have been inspired and encouraged, but I have also noticed that I spread a lot of motivation. Many have reached out and thanked me for helping them get out of bed or go to the gym or fight their ailments.

Do you feel it took courage to do this?

– In retrospect… Yes, had I known it would be as big as it has become, I don’t know if I would have dared.