I was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm at the age of 21, and it completely changed my life.

The day it happened started out as any other day.

I remember it was a Monday morning. I was at my parents’ house, here in Victoria. I had just returned from four years of university in Ontario. I was happy to be home when everything changed. I had collapsed and was rushed to Victoria General Hospital, but later flown to Vancouver for surgery because the aneurysm was so big. I survived a stroke during the surgery.

That was 19 years ago.

I say that day changed my life because nothing was ever quite the same after that.

There were several things I had to ‘get used to,’ including a lack of mobility down my right side. The lasting effects of the stroke meant I couldn’t fully raise my arm or open my hand. Simple tasks like washing my hair or writing, even running and biking, were now difficult. It was something I just learned to live with, like an invisible disability.

Being a young woman and suddenly having to face this post-stroke world I lived in, it was challenging. I worked hard to keep up with others. I continued to stay as active as possible and tried all sorts of treatments to improve my function, but there were many difficult days.

My life hit a strong turning point 19 years ago. And once again last February when I had a chance meeting with Dr. Paul Winston.

We both happened to be attending a Dance Victoria performance when he shared his work in the treatment of spasticity with me. I got referred immediately.

He explained that he could treat my mobility issues by freezing my nerves.

No doctor, until Dr. Winston, had ever used the term ‘spasticity’ with me. So, I didn’t even know that’s really what I had.

Spasticity is a neurologic condition that results in abnormal muscle tightness. There are several causes, but it’s quite common after a stroke.

Dr. Winston’s treatment is called cryoneurolysis. The nerves are frozen to reduce spasticity and improve movement and function.

I was initially skeptical because I had tried so many things. I had come to terms with it all, but I was also willing to try anything, so I signed up.

The appointment day came at Victoria General Hospital. To say it was a highlight of my life, is no stretch. I couldn’t stop happy crying for about a week afterwards.

During the first treatment, Dr. Winston used a local anesthetic to see whether I would be a good candidate for the treatment.

Before my very eyes, my hand opened, and I was able to raise my arm above my head and balance on one foot. It was amazing.

I immediately booked a follow-up appointment. He froze about five or six nerves in my arm and a few in my calf. The results were instant and stunning.

You see, I had been living my life with this disability for nearly 20 years, and now my condition was given a name and a treatment—it truly changed my life.

Dr. Winston is amazing. His team is amazing. And the dedication to the cause I think needs to be acknowledged.

I had dealt with these paralyzing symptoms every day for 19 years and it took up so much space in my life. To know that Dr. Winston was also thinking about solving this problem for patients, at the exact same time—that’s just so exciting.

Meeting a doctor who understood me and my body, is such a validating feeling. To have him then provide a solution that would change my life. Well, there aren’t enough thank-yous for that.

I will never take the little things for granted. Simple things, like holding an ice cream cone, or using scissors or hanging laundry—these are all tasks I can do again.

I would liken the change to being a superhero who is breaking out of their stone structure. It feels like I’ve been carrying weights around for years and I’m just so much lighter now—and it’s all thanks to Dr. Winston and his treatment.