Shadim Hussain

Finding Strength After Stroke
Meet Shadim Hussain from Bradford. Before his stroke, Shadim was the CEO of My Foster Family, a charity supporting ethnic minority families on their journey to fostering. He is also a trustee for Bradford Foundation Trust, helping asylum seekers, refugees, and survivors of domestic violence. In January 2023, he was awarded an MBE for his services to equality and the foster care system. 

On a Saturday afternoon in June 2022, Shadim was home with his family when he had a stroke. He experienced a 45-minute delay for an ambulance, so his brother-in-law drove him to Bradford Royal Infirmary where he spent eight weeks in hospital. For the first four weeks, he was completely unaware of what was happening.

“I was gone for four weeks,” Shadim explains. “I can’t remember a thing. I was out of it.”

Waking up to find himself in a wheelchair on a stroke ward was a shock. He had gone from leading a busy and successful life to suddenly needing help with everyday tasks. He relates his experience to that of actor Jamie Foxx, who has spoken about memory loss following his stroke in 2024.

Despite the challenges, Shadim is full of gratitude for the care he received. Since his recovery began, he has returned to the stroke wards in Bradford to offer encouragement to other stroke survivors.

Seeking Support
After his stroke, Shadim was referred to Aphasia Support where he received help through a UK Shared Prosperity Fund project from July to October 2024. He was matched with Steve Fairchild, a Support Worker who visited him at home. Together, they worked on reading, writing, and rebuilding his confidence in public speaking.

Shadim also became involved with the newly formed Bradford Aphasia Café, a group that meets twice a month. “I like it because everyone understands Aphasia,” he says. “It’s difficult to talk to people who don’t perceive it.”

While his speech has improved, he still experiences occasional word-finding difficulties. “I feel I’m at 50% with speaking,” he shares. “The other 50% will take time.” Reading and spelling remain a challenge, and improving them is a key focus for 2025. Though he follows conversations well, he sometimes struggles to keep up in fast-paced discussions, often choosing to listen and ask questions later.

Looking Forward
Shadim wanted to share his story to give hope to others. His journey hasn’t been easy, but he is determined to keep moving forward. With the support of his family, friends, and Aphasia Support, he is making steady progress toward his goal of returning to the work he loves.

“I’m committed to getting back to where I was,” he says. Knowing his resilience, there’s no doubt he will.