Worcester Dad, 40, Shares Recovery Update After Haemorrhagic Stroke: 'I'm Glad That It Happened'

A 40-year-old father from Worcester who was left unable to walk or speak after a major haemorrhagic stroke says he remains affected by the injury but now sees the experience as a turning point, saying, 'I'm glad that it happened.'

How a Stroke Changed Tim Jacobs' Life Within Minutes

Tim Jacobs, a father of two who is originally from the Netherlands, suffered from a stroke in April 2025 while visiting family for his birthday. More than a year later, he continues to have problems with his right arm and speech but says his outlook on life has significantly changed.

Jacobs, who previously experienced periods of anxiety and depression, said that those difficulties became easier to deal with after his stroke, a report by BBC News said. He added that surviving the medical emergency gave him a different perspective on his life.

Jacobs first realised that something was wrong when his hand suddenly stopped working during the family visit last year. He went downstairs and told his father to call an ambulance, and within about 10 minutes he had lost his ability to walk and speak.

A CT scan later at the hospital revealed that he had suffered a large haemorrhagic stroke that was caused by a previously undetected birth defect.

He spent nine days in intensive care followed by another nine days on a neurology ward. The stroke affected Jacobs' dominant hand and initially prevented him from walking, speaking and writing.

Jacobs also developed aphasia, which affects a person's ability to communicate, and later apraxia, a disorder that can make it difficult for a person to coordinate the movements required for speech. He said that his thinking remained clear despite struggling to verbally express himself.

Separation From Family and Physical Recovery

During the early stages of Jacobs' recovery, he used his left hand to write individual words on a whiteboard so he could communicate, a Worcester News report said. His rehabilitation continued in the Netherlands while his wife and children returned to Worcestershire.

He said that the separation was one of the most difficult parts of the experience. Jacobs eventually returned home seven months after his stroke and has credited his family with giving him motivation during rehabilitation.

Jacobs said that his physical recovery remains in progress, particularly in his right arm, and his speech is still affected by apraxia. He pushed back on the idea that stroke recovery follows a six-month timetable, saying that improvement can continue for much longer.

NHS guidance states that some people recover from a stroke within days or weeks, while others may require months or years of rehabilitation and make lasting changes to their daily lives. On the other hand, others face months or years of rehabilitation and lasting changes to daily life.

How Are Haemorrhagic Strokes Caused?

A haemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in or around a person's brain bursts and causes bleeding. Roughly 15% of strokes in the UK are caused by bleeding rather than a blockage, as per a report by the Stroke Association.

The National Health Service (NHS) noted that recovery from the emergency can take months or years and varies depending on the damage caused as well as a person's rehabilitation needs. Treatment and rehabilitation can involve physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, cognitive rehabilitation and support with everyday activities.