OUR December Salt of the Earth feature which has been run monthly in association with North Yorkshire County Council, highlights a Skipton man who has turned a serious hardship into a way of reaching out and helping others who face a similarly frightening event.
Malcolm Hanson, historian, author and public personality, to name just a few strings to his bow, has always been a ‘people person; but it was a serious and frightening stroke which focussed his mind, making him realise other people may not possess his dogged determination to recover.
He also helped make people in Covid isolation feel engaged with his entertaining blogs on local history through action group Skipton Step Into Action (SSIA).
Malcolm explained: “When I had my stroke I had just reached the top of my profession as a public speaker, tourist guide (with ghost walks), musician, novelist and composer. I was midway through writing and recording a classical piece of music called “Mary Queen of Scots” when my life changed. It was the day of Skipton’s Great Santa Run 2018. I was knocked down by a car on Mill Bridge (my fault) taken to hospital and spent a fortnight in bed.
“Sadly, at this time it seems I developed blood clots in my legs, one of these in turn made its way to my brain which caused the stroke. While in hospital, more complications set in. Ulcers were found in my body; I developed an epileptic condition making me prone to fits. As one doctor said: “It’s a miracle you are still alive, Malcolm”.
“I spent the next six months in and out of the stroke ward at Airedale Hospital, and sometimes Bradford Royal Infirmary. Life had been turned upside down. At first I could not walk, talk or anything else. It is indescribable. The only people who can know what you go through are those that have gone through it themselves. That is why I want to help those who are having strokes right now. I am living proof that there can be life after a stroke.
“There is a huge battle to be fought and at a time when you are at your most vulnerable. But I’m fighting all the way, and I believe I have found new ways to help with recovery. For me, the first sign that I was starting to recover was when I started to talk. It was very quick, and when I thought about it I made the connection that this was how I had made my living before the stroke. My brain was simply following what it remembered most. So I started using Facebook Live videos to record myself talking about anything and everything. I could then play the videos back and watch my mouth moving, forming the words as I spoke them. Using this technique I had my own private lesson, whenever I needed it. It worked wonders for my brain.
“Earlier, when I was in hospital, a doctor told me I would never walk again. The way he told me this news was rather cruel. I remember thinking, I’m not having that! Two days later I walked past him as he came down the ward. He gave me the thumbs up as if to say: ‘It worked then?’. This was borne out much later when I received the best advice of all: ‘Your body can do much more than you think - try it, Malcolm’. This might not be the right way for other stroke victims, but I believe if you are able to help yourself along the way it will be well worth it.
“The average time it takes for your brain to repair all the neuro-paths that have been damaged is three to four years. I’m just completing my second year, and though every day is an ordeal, I can walk around the house, can wash, cook, read and talk the back legs off my followers on Facebook. I still do my local history blogs to a wide audience on Zoom. I’m so glad I do this as it is paving the path when I will be able to recommence my ghost walks, tourist tours and school work.
Charlotte McKeown, SSIA founder and project manager said Malcolm was an ideal Salt of the Erth candidate for the selfless effort he gave to the group with the sole purpose of helping others and providing inspiration, hope and support.
She said: “Malcolm has been sharing his interesting and very engaging local history stories with our Skipton Step Into Action members and clients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping us all entertained through these challenging times. He has also joined our online community sessions as a guest speaker and speaks openly about his stroke recovery and the difficulties he has faced and also the remarkable progress he has made.
“Malcolm inspires us all to appreciate our individual capabilities and offers hope to others by demonstrating what sheer determination can achieve following times of adversity.”
Follow Malcolm live on SSIA Facebook page each Thursday at 1pm.
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