A stroke couldn’t keep Jose from his passion

TWO years ago local cyclist and Headway Natal patient, Jose Carvalho’s life was changed in ways he could never imagine after he suffered a stroke just an hour before he was due to board a plane for China.

“Once you have a stroke there are a lot of things you deem impossible, but a picture I saw on Facebook gave me hope to participate in my favourite sport once again,” he said.

Having kept fit on a stationary bike for the past two years, Jose saw a glimmer of hope when he saw a post for a bike with stabiliser wheels on it.

He called a local bike shop, who tried to source the wheels locally, but because of the then metal strike they couldn’t find the wheels. In August this year, they were eventually imported from the USA and fitted to his cycle.

For two months, Jose climbed off his exercise bike and took to the road to prepare for his first Amashova race since his stroke. In challenging conditions, he finished the 65km leg of the race in 4.5 hours, despite falling off his bike three times.

“It was only at the Amashova that I realised the bike was a little unstable on turns and up hills. I had a problem turning left and fell off my bike three times as a result. My son, Rowan, then rode on my left from Westville, holding me up so I didn’t fall over again. From then on the race was better,” he said.

What helped Jose get back on the bike each time he fell was the crowds’ encouragement: “It was so rewarding and liberating and nowadays I cycle better than I walk,” he laughed.

Jose, who worked in the software industry before his stroke in 2012, said, “Life has proved to be a struggle, but I find things to motivate me. I just enrolled for a refresher course in supply chain management at the University of Cape Town and I will take the next few years as they come.”

This year’s Amashova was a personal challenge for Jose, but he said next year he hopes to cycle it in aid of charity. But for now he has set his sights on completing the Tour Durban in April next year.