A Newquay woman who sustained a severe brain haemorrhage has published an inspirational book to help people on their road to recovery.
Jo Ulczak has written The Mask That Always Smiles, after she received “little” advice and guidance from the medical world.
The 43-year-old decided to put pen to paper to help minimise the frustrations and symptoms people might find themselves experiencing who are embarking on a similar recovery journey that she went on.
Jo was an avid surfer until she was struck less than 10 years ago with a bleed on her brain out of the blue, which changed her life forever.
She experienced a second, more severe bleed, a few months later, and life came to a grinding halt as she had to relearn everything.
Jo went on a journey of “blood, sweat and tears” to reach the place where she is today.
She said: “I suffered a severe brain haemorrhage and made notes alongside my recovery to share with others to help understand the situation post bleed.
“Before my bleed I was a very active individual who loved the outdoors and I woke one day in hospital not even knowing I’d been in a coma, being the complete opposite.
“I had lost my mobility alongside many other symptoms.
“My book The Mask That Always Smiles is a factual account of symptoms and experiences that I received during the recovery phases of a brain haemorrhage.
“It’s not one shoe fits all with recovery.
“Due to receiving very little advice and guidance from the medical world I made it a top priority to put my account of my recovery on paper and share with the world.
“I know my recovery will not be the same as other people’s recovery, though it may offer major similarities, which minimises their frustration knowing it's quite normal to be experiencing such symptoms.”
Author Samantha Houghton said: “I met Jo after I'd moved to Newquay and gradually each time we met up, I discovered more about her and of what she had experienced over the last few years.
“Then one day, she turned to me and said she'd always wanted to put an account of what happened to her in a published book.
“Several months later, and here we are.
“Her book The Mask That Always Smiles has gone live on Amazon.
“So, it’s a massive congratulations to Jo on this incredible achievement.
“It was a tremendous journey of blood, sweat and tears to reach the place she is today, outdoing what doctors said she would achieve.
“It truly was her sheer "force to be reckoned with" determination and grit that got her through.
“Her book is not only a very inspirational read, but it also provides a wealth of insight and valuable information for anyone who has experienced similar ill health looking at the recovery journey.”
The Mask That Always Smiles by Jo Ulczak is available on Amazon as a paperback or ebook.