Lisburn man shares his story as a stroke survivor in his new book
Paul Allen is set to launch his new book, which shares his story as a stroke survivor, at the Tara Centre in Omagh on Friday March 13,
In his new book Paul turns adversity into a powerful story of resilience.
Paul has written a compelling account after suffering a life altering stroke that forced him into early retirement and left him grappling with a host of physical and mental challenges.
His deeply personal story offers a raw introspective look at the emotional and psychological toll of stroke recovery.
Written over 12 years, it covers a pre existing condition, keratoconus, and the enduring impacts of neurological trauma.
Paul states that surviving a stroke is only the very first step of that journey albeit it took him a number of years to catch onto that fact due to the damage within the broken mire (brain).
A lifelong boat owner both he and his wife Elaine had dreamed of an early retirement cruising and exploring the inland waterways of Europe in their own boat. That dream not only sustained Paul but also helped him to get to a level of recovery where the dream could be turned into reality.
The author bares his soul on each and every page, there is no holding back on feelings, details into every aspect of the diagnosis and recovery process. The author opens his heart, as the old Paul learned to adjust to the new Paul.
"I survived a stroke that wasn’t discovered for over four months,” Paul explained.
“It is said there is at least one book in all of us and this is mine.
"It is certainly not the book I expected I might write but sometimes life can take us on an unexpected journey for a reason.
"This is my journey of discovery from stroke to recovery and finding a different me.”
At the book launch, Paul will be joined by Dr Enda Kerr Lead consultant at Northern Ireland’s Regional Neuroscience Centre at the Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast.
There will be a book reading, a Q&A, and tea and coffee will be served.