It’s 23 months since my stroke but this was a defining week in my recovery. Me and my husband went see Take That at Birmingham Utilita Arena. We stayed in a hotel just 8 mins away normal speed (slower for me of course), a mostly flat easy walk. I had been there before my stroke so I knew the Arena set up and where the step-free entrances were. The staff at the arena were fantastic. When inside they found me a wheelchair and took me to my seat, which was on the arena floor. Although we had seats, everyone stood up during the concert. I stood up quite a lot but sat down when I needed to. After the concert I was pretty tired out, but the Arena staff couldn’t have been more helpful. While my husband went back to the hotel for my wheelchair, they let me wait indoors. Was then told we could have left our wheelchair with them and they would have looked after it securely after all! I remember just after my stroke a doctor said I would never walk again.
Well done ! Outstanding story !
Why do people say such things as “you’ll never walk again”? They are the ones who should never make false statements … again ! And, you proved them wrong ! My wife was told, during my stroke, “I don’t know how he’s still alive?”. Well I am still alive, thank you very much, kind nurse! The head nurse said to me “I hope you make it…” etc etc
I’m sure you’ll stand more and sit less,
meanwhile, congrats. ! ciao, Roland
I hope that doctor says to you, “I’ll never say that again.” 
Well done on enjoying an evening out with some tunes. These events are life affirming and esteem boosting, not to mention just jolly good fun.
Congratulations, that must have been so much fun for you and well worth the fatigue 
Sounds like you had a great night out and all went really well. Well done on proving the drs wrong…when they say things like you’ll never do that again it is always satisfying to prove them wrong. I wonder if they do it to spur us on.
I sometimes wonder that’s why they say it, to encourage us to fight
Well done you . Sounds like you had a great night. It’s so good to hear that the staff were accommodating, it certainly makes you feel more confident when you’re considering doing something different.
We recently had a night out at the O2 Arena in London in one of the private boxes and I thought I was being adventurous 
. I used my wheelchair because we knew it would be really busy and I was so glad I did. Again, the staff were really accommodating and helpful and everything was wheelchair accessible.
If only your hospital doctor could see you now, you definitely showed them. Well done
I hope you have many more exciting trips out to come.
Regards Sue
Hi @ Chris I’ve just read your message, such an achievement! Was just wondering if u ever had any problems with sensory overload and the noise, lights etc at the concert. I’ve got one coming up soon which I don’t want to miss but just looking for any tips and tricks on how to be as comfortable as possible as it’s over a 3 hour long show🙈
You should be okay, I went and saw Adam Ant, a little over a year and half after having had the stroke, I did have auditory overload (still do in smaller doses) and most of my issues are visual-spatial, so bright lights and flickering visuals can affect me, but found the whole experience to be stimulating in a good way, but then again, Adam Ant is an old fart like me, so the concert wasn’t really pumping. I never really listened to music, regularly, before stroke but found after the fact that it feeds the brain with positive stimulus or good vibes, as you young folk say. I think it pampers and massages a part of the brain associated with dopamine and other chemical delights that gives it a chance to rest from the logical and instructional everyday processes. If you need to, take noise cancelling ear plugs and a pair of shades, you won’t look out of place using them if you need to, most of the rock stars on stage wear them as well. 
I have sensory overload & really struggle but invested in some loop earplugs…they do different obes for different environments. Might be worth a try?
Yeah I’ll hopefully be okay our tickets are seated which is a plus.
I’ve invested in a pair of loop earplugs @Mrs5K they have ones with 3 different settings which are quite good. They helped me a lot when I wasn’t able to stick the noise in my house😅.
@SimonInEdinburgh my sister was in touch with the venue about disability access. But we would’ve had to buy new tickets and only one person would’ve been allowed in with me although we’re all siblings going. Think it’s more worrying about the ‘what ifs’ that I’m worried about. Should be okay and if it does get too overstimulating I could step out to the toilets and get some quietness
Hi orla3333 I had no issues.I invested in a pair of Loop earplugs which were fantastic.I had my sunglasses in my bag just in case but had no issues.I was 7 rows from the front so I was in thick of it .It was a big part of my stroke recovery,I was getting nervous about going back to work but since the concert that has disappeared.
Yeah the loop earplugs are very good. My seats are at the back of the stadium so hopefully I’ll be all good, after all it’s only been just over 5 months since the stroke so if I’m capable of this concert it will be a big achievement. Thanks everyone for your feedback!