The 4th of January 2021 was a significant day in Larry Gilligan’s life.

Larry, from Swords in County Dublin, was 55 years of age was told that he was to be appointed as Head of Internal Audit for the CIE group, a position he had held in an acting capacity for the previous eight months. This was a proud moment and was to be the pinnacle of his career.  Unfortunately, that would also be the last day Larry would ever work. 

That same day, Larry was feeling unwell and had a test for Covid-19 which proved positive.  His condition deteriorated and he was taken to hospital and subsequently spent eight weeks in ICU on a ventilator.  Larry was so ill that his wife Barbara, 27-year-old son Niall and 24-year-old daughter Eimear were told he wouldn’t survive. An already tough time on him and his family was made worse by the fact that the country was in the middle of lockdown. Covid-19 restrictions meant that Larry could not have any support with him in the hospital. Reflecting on this now, Larry says that was the hardest thing to contemplate. 

Thankfully Larry survived the Covid-19 infection, but his troubles were really only beginning. At some point while in a coma, Larry suffered a stroke, which was put down as a consequence of the pressure on his system caused by the Covid-19 infection.   

But this was initially not detected because when he was in a coma, he had a tracheotomy and when he awoke, he was unable to speak.  When his voice was eventually restored, he became aware that he was having difficulty expressing himself. “I was struggling to find words and I felt there was something more wrong with me”.   

After a few weeks Larry got an MRI scan which confirmed he had also suffered a stroke while in the coma. Again, he was alone when hearing devasting news. Larry reflects on this period – “One of the most difficult challenges for me that there was no personal support because of the restrictions.  We were still in lockdown so there were no visitors. I had to break the news to my wife over the phone.” 

Larry says that at this stage, he did not know what would be the consequences of having a stroke, what the impact would be for his recovery from the Covid-19 infection, or would this further delay his return to work. Recovery continued with tests in Beaumont, followed by a three-week spell of rehabilitation in Clontarf Hospital and finally, after four months in hospital, discharge home to his family. 

On his discharge, Larry worked with the the Beaumont Hospital Early Discharge Team consisting of a physio, a nurse, an OT and SLT.  He was then referred to the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) where he received further rehab. A crucial aspect of this stage was that Larry was very keen to be as assessed to his suitability to return to work.   

But that assessment did not go well and Larry was advised that he would not be able to go back to work at level at which he had previously operated. This was yet another devastating blow. Larry had just achieved one of the proudest moments of his life by securing his dream job. And now it was gone. 

Fortunately for Larry, even though this was not what he wanted, he was in a position to choose early retirement from his job on health grounds. Larry says: “I should be grateful that I had that option which meant that financially I would be ok. But the next period was very difficult. Coming to terms with a new life – a new existence. With a feeling that my life now was lacking in purpose.” 

And that’s when he came in contact with the Irish Heart Foundation. He had been given a leaflet by the Beaumont Hospital Early Discharge Team about the Irish Heart Foundation but did not initially get in touch. Through some group therapy sessions that he was participating in with the NRH, he learned about an exercise class in a gym in Kilmainham run by the Irish Heart Foundation.   

Larry applied to the Irish Heart Foundation and was accepted. Through the Kilmainham Stroke Support Group, Larry has met some great people and, staff and stroke survivor peers, and said “the social part is the most important for me”. Larry says: “We all meet up for the group exercise class and then spend an hour or two afterwards over coffee together. We would often meet up outside of the group as well, and we’ve all become great friends. The chat can be about anything but it’s often about how we are doing post spoke.  We all feel that we don’t always get the opportunity to do that in our daily lives.  It’s so empowering”.  

Once introduced to the Irish Heart Foundation, Larry decided to get more involved on a voluntary basis.  Currently he, along with others, provides peer support for the Kilmainham group. “There is a cohort of regulars attendees, but for new attendees we just make sure that they feel welcome, are comfortable with the exercise class and most importantly can find their way to the coffee shop.” 

He has also taken part in the Patient Champions Programme which provides the training, support, resources and know-how to participants who wish to help make a difference and help shape a better future for heart and stroke patients in Ireland. The main purpose of the programme is to raise awareness in political circles of the lack of funding for services for people once they leave hospital following a stroke or heart event. Larry says: “I was shocked to learn that the IHF’s activities only receive 9% of its funding from government. The rest is from donations and fundraising, which is clearly not sustainable”, the former accountant coming out in him.  

Larry was a keen runner prior to his illness and in a bid to get back to running took part in the Irish Heart Foundation’s ‘Run 100 in February’ event where he was the leading fundraiser. “Delighted to be able to complete the event and even more delighted with the response to my campaign and to have raised so much money” he says. 

Larry’s voluntary work does not stop there. He is a community driver taking stroke and heart patients to events organised by the Irish Heart Foundation. “The same way that I get so much from meeting my peers in the Kilmainham gym session and afterwards, I love to be able to help others get to their events. These social supports are so important to patients at every stage of their recovery”. 

Larry is also a member of the Young Stroke Survivors Network that he says is an invaluable resource and informal online community where patients share their experiences and seek advice from other patients. He also sits on the Patients Panel, is an Irish Heart Foundation Ambassador on account of his successful fundraising campaign and sits on the Irish Heart Foundation Strategy 2025 Committee. 

When Larry was appointed to his dream job on the 4th of January he had no idea what life would have in store for him. Serious illness, life changing incapacity, the loss of his ability to work were not on the agenda. So how is he coping? Larry says “I’m doing well now. Probably better than I would have thought. It took some time but finally I have adjusted to the fact that I will never work again. I am enjoying the fact that I am under no stress whatsoever, there’s a lot to be said for that.” 

He says biggest struggle was coming to terms with not being able to go back to work. But finding the Irish Heart Foundation has helped to restore that sense of purpose. Larry said: “I don’t know what I’d do without the Irish Heart Foundation services, it is a focus for my week. I have developed friendships from the Stroke Support Group, and even though I have a great group of friends in my personal life, I can’t talk to them in the way I can talk to my friends in the group. I have a sense of understanding with them”.  

Larry certainly recognises the value supports offered by the Irish Heart Foundation.  “The Irish Heart Foundation was there for me when I needed it. I have observed people visibly blossoming as they realise that they are not alone, that we have a community.”