How a good neighbour helped my stroke recovery

A former Metropolitan Police officer has credited his neighbour, the F1 commentator David Croft, with his recovery from a stroke.

Jeetender Paul, from Cranfield, Bedfordshire, lost his mobility and found communication difficult after suffering a stroke in August 2020.

The 54-year-old began running with Croft as "a way to put the world to rights", but soon found the routine became "instrumental" to overcoming his symptoms.

He said his friend was "always challenging me, coming up with new routes", adding: "His energy kept me going, otherwise it would have been harder to recover from my stroke."

He said that despite admitting having no interest in motorsports himself, Croft had become "an amazing friend".

Paul said that on 23 August 2020, his family were alarmed by his inability to stand up.

"I had a bit of a lie in that day," he explained. "They came to check on me, but couldn't understand me."

His wife Jasvinder called 999 and he was taken to hospital, where they discovered he had suffered a stroke.

While the symptoms and effects of a stroke can vary enormously in patients, the condition can be life-changing for many.

Paul explained that losing his ability to communicate had also stripped away much of his confidence.

Regularly talking to Croft was instrumental to his recovery, he said.

"If it's not David speaking to me, it's my other neighbours dotted around," he added.

"We have a amazing community here in Cranfield."

Paul's story features in a campaign by the Police Firearms Officers Association, called We've Got Your Back.

The association provides support and counselling to officers and their families.

Paul said it had kept in contact with him and his family on a weekly basis.

"There was someone there, on the end of a phone, who understood what we were going through," he said.

"Words cannot describe how much I benefited from their support they provided."

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