PETER Scott says he was “kissed by an angel” one day eight years ago when he was in the middle of a routine work test he never got to finish.
That was in 2014, the day the “reasonably fit” 65-year-old suffered a stroke, completely unaware that his blood pressure was “through the roof” and work-related pressures had taken their toll on his health.
“Wednesday the 4th of June 2014, in the midst of a routine skills test for work, I started to show physical signs of being unwell,” Scott said.
“Thankfully, my colleague insisted I stop immediately, and we go to hospital. At this point, the idea of a stroke hadn’t even begun to cross my mind. It wasn’t until the doctors identified my haemorrhage that it all began to sink in.”
Scott says that day was the wake-up call he needed, after years of living life in the corporate fast lane, raised blood pressure and letting his fitness slide a little.
Among the emotional devastation of the stroke and the long recovery, Scott knew he was lucky.
A newfound understanding of the dangers of not looking after yourself helped him get through the next few years when he faced a cancer diagnosis and then the unexpected death of his wife.
“This was a lot to cope with within a brief period of time. But with the support of family, a lot of soul searching and time, I have found joy in my relaxing with meditation and a balanced lifestyle,” he said.
“Because stress is a factor in stroke risk, I take care of myself physically and mentally.”
Now living an active and healthy life in Mornington and eating a predominantly plant-based diet, Scott says his goal is to educate more people on the dangers of high stress work environments and an unbalanced work/life culture.
“That life is not sustainable – and you are not invincible. It can catch up with you when you least expect it. Looking after your health is so important for you and your loved ones,” he said.
As a speaker for the Stroke Foundation, he hopes to reinforce the message that prevention and awareness are the keys.
It is estimated more than 27,400 people will have a stroke in Australia for the first time in 2022.
To raise money for the Stroke Foundation Scott ran a half marathon on a treadmill at his gym on Sunday 4 September and is hoping to surpass his goal of $10,000. Donations are still open, at fundraise4stroke.org.au/fundraisers/peterscott
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 13 September 2022
