Shelagh Brennand is a lady with a different story to share, and tells us of her amazing transformation and ability to create a life she loves more so than the one she enjoyed before collapsing of a stroke a few years ago. In recent months, Shelagh has also found the courage to push through and throw herself into the spotlight as a motivational speaker so that she can SHINE the Spotlight on her Ambassador role for Stroke Safe and help others who could find themselves in a similar situation. Shelagh’s story is truly remarkable and this is one lady, whose courage and bravery is to be highly commended… but let’s hear from the lady herself!

Shelagh, tell us a little bit about your story, including business and personal achievements:

Born in Yorkshire, UK, I joined the Police Force at 19 years of age. Retiring in 2008, as a Detective Inspector, with 25 years’ exemplary service, my husband David and son Patrick (then 6.5 years old), migrated to Australia for a much calmer, less stressed lifestyle and I became a Private Investigator. Life was sweet until 15 April 2013, when I suffered a stroke. After mowing the lawns with Patrick, I became hot and went inside. Patrick found me collapsed on the bathroom floor, unable to move or speak. That was the scariest moment of my life but following my stroke, my brain would only work in rhyme, so I began to write poetry about my emotional part of my recovery and share it with others. Depression followed as I could not accept the fact my brain was damaged, however, several months later, I began fitness and mindfulness training which was the catalyst to me embracing the change in my life. By learning to focus on what I COULD do and being grateful for my working limbs, I made the decision to self-publish my book of poetry and began to climb, run and get fit once again. Five years post stroke, I am a published author, volunteer Stroke Safe Ambassador, a Motivational Speaker and hope to improve my business in the speaking field whilst managing my fatigue. Would I change my life back to what it was? No thank you. I absolutely love my life and love doing what I do.

It was a brave decision to push through your brain trauma to focus on writing poetry – how did you push yourself to embrace the challenge?

I have never felt brave. I was just determined to do what it takes and as the poetry flowed easily, this helped me focus on my book. I got help too!

Did you ever want to give up or what drove you to make the book come to fruition?

I never wanted to give up and my motivation to complete the book was to help others in my situation and make them feel they were not alone. Knowing my poetry was already doing that assisted me enormously.

How did you cope with the change from working a tough job (physically and emotionally) to having to take a more relaxed approach to life?

With great difficulty and depression set in because I would not accept the change or the ‘Shelagh’ I was. Now, I have fully embraced my new life, I would not turn back the clocks and thoroughly enjoy the life I have. I have a very happy, full heart.

You do a lot of volunteer and charity work in the community – tell us a little about this…

I was involved in the Vintage Calendar Girls Calendar, raising money for cancer but I am now focused on all matters of stroke and stroke advocacy which is my passion. With others, I am a food volunteer with ‘Rosies – Friends on the Street’ and get involved in other local charities as and when I can.

You’re also very supportive of women in general – what’s the motivation behind this?

I want all women to know that their ‘Supermum’ qualities are noticed BUT your health and wellbeing are the most important. We cannot function unless we look after ourselves too and as a rare female Police Detective Inspector at the time, I know we can all achieve well, even in a man’s world!

How do you find the balance and calm in your life that you need?

I practice more mindfulness training in amongst my other, more vigorous activities. I love Qi Gong/Tai Chi and restorative type yoga which helps my busy mind switch off. Meditation is a key to unwinding. Learning gratefulness gives us an abundance of mental calm.

What are you currently working on and what’s next for Shelagh Brennand?

Those who look out for me would say too much but I like being busy! I have several events planned this year, where I get to deliver my Motivational Presentations and a few Stroke Foundation Stroke Safe presentations to local health and community groups. Check out and follow my FB page for all the details.

You are happiest when?

Running. I really do love to run. It is such a great feeling and it really makes me feel good. Also spending time with my family and two dogs.

Favourite food?

That would have to be any Thai food or British Fish and Chips, which I miss here.

To find out more about Shelagh or to check out her book, head to:

Facebook 
@astrokeofpoetry