A woman whose life was turned upside down by a stroke while on holiday has found her way back - thanks to the healing power of music.

Jeannie Williams, 66, had only recently retired from a long career as an early years lecturer and special educational needs teacher when she suffered a brain haemorrhage in Italy in May 2022.

At the time, she was enjoying her freedom - singing in a church choir, playing in two recorder groups and performing folk music with her husband, Chris.

But the stroke left her unable to move the right side of her body, or speak and sing clearly.

Jeannie, from Chartham, near Canterbury, said she felt herself slipping into depression as she struggled to come to terms with her condition.

With the help of friends, her local community and the Stroke Association, she slowly began to adapt - even learning to play a one-handed recorder.

Now, as part of a community wellbeing choir, she’s supporting Stroke Awareness Month to highlight the condition and how music can help survivors recover.

“Singing has always been my thing - I’ve loved it since I was a little girl,” she said.

“After my stroke, I was completely paralysed down one side of my body. I couldn’t walk or talk properly and doing anything independently was difficult. Losing singing and music nearly killed me - I just can’t be myself without them.

“If it wasn’t for my recorder group and my good friend Emily, who runs a choir, I don’t know where I’d be now.”

Covid-19 restrictions meant visiting hours were limited in the Italian hospital where Jeannie was treated, but singing helped her cope.

“I sat up in bed and tried to sing,” she said. “My voice was croaky, my mouth was numb, and my speech was slurred. Singing meant I could hold onto a part of the old me. It was something I could do by myself, for myself.”

Back home, she faced life in a wheelchair, extreme fatigue and isolation, but her music group rallied round.

“A meal rota was set up by friends from the village,” she said.

“One member, a former nurse, came to wash my hair, cut my nails and just talk to me. After the chaos of Italy, it felt utterly amazing.”

Eventually, she discovered an adapted recorder she could play one-handed. But returning to singing took a little more encouragement.

Emily Renshawe-Kidd, artistic director of the Canterbury Cantata Trust and leader of the Charlton Larks choir, persuaded her to give it a try.

“I kept saying I couldn’t sing properly anymore – my voice got tired just from talking,” Jeannie said.

“Emily sent me a research article about how singing helps stroke recovery. I’m so glad I gave it a go.

“The first time I went, I fell asleep in my wheelchair after half an hour. But gradually, my voice got stronger. The choir gave me motivation to keep going.”

Emily added: “It’s been amazing to see the difference in Jeannie. After her stroke, she thought she’d never sing again.

“Now her speech is clearer, her confidence has grown and her singing voice has returned.”

Even though half my body doesn’t work, I’m still the same person I was before...

Another breakthrough came when Jeannie was referred to the Stroke Association’s East Kent Stroke Recovery Service.

“Jacqui, my support coordinator, has been brilliant,” Jeannie said.

“She gave me equipment tips and put me in touch with a local stroke support group. Meeting other stroke survivors helped me begin to accept my disabilities.”

Now, Jeannie is looking forward to her choir’s next performance.

“Even though half my body doesn’t work, I’m still the same person I was before,” she said.

The Stroke Association is encouraging people to take part in Sing4Stroke, a fundraising initiative running throughout Stroke Awareness Month this May. Visit www.stroke.org.uk for more information.

Nick O’Donohue, the charity’s associate director for the south east, said: “By raising your voice, you can help survivors like Jeannie and their loved ones find strength through support.”