Stroke Survivors Find Unexpected Love During Rehabilitation Journey
When Steven Roberts and Anne-Marie Ellery first encountered each other during stroke rehabilitation, romance was the furthest thing from their minds. However, fate had other plans for this remarkable pair, whose love story blossomed in the most unlikely of settings.
A Meeting Forged in Recovery
The couple's paths crossed in 2022 at Osborne Park Hospital, where Mr Roberts was undergoing intensive therapy to relearn how to speak and walk after suffering two devastating strokes and undergoing open-heart surgery. Ms Ellery joined the rehabilitation program three months after her own stroke, attending speech therapy sessions at the same facility.
What began as mutual support during challenging recovery sessions gradually evolved into something much deeper. Both living with aphasia—a language difficulty common after strokes—they helped each other practice speech exercises week after week, forming an unbreakable bond through their shared struggles.
The Words That Changed Everything
After a year of intense therapy, Mr Roberts achieved a significant milestone: he could form a small sentence again. Then, two years after meeting Ms Ellery, he finally expressed the feelings that had been growing between them.
"Annie-Marie said 'I love you' and I said 'I think I love you more'," Mr Roberts recalled. "It made me feel great because so much effort and hard work went into telling her those words."
He added: "I get courage and strength from her; she understands me and I no longer care about people looking at me."
Celebrating Love and Recovery
The Dianella couple had extra reason to celebrate this Valentine's Day, marking three years of recovery that continues to strengthen both their health and their relationship. Their journey has taken them from rehabilitation patients to inspiring figures in the stroke community.
Ms Ellery now volunteers at Osborne Park Hospital, offering support to those newly navigating life after a stroke. Mr Roberts has been recognized as a finalist in the 2025 Stroke Foundation National Stroke Awards for his remarkable recovery efforts.
Words of Wisdom for Others
When asked what advice they would give to others facing similar challenges, Ms Ellery emphasized perseverance: "Just keep going, keep going. At the beginning it's confusing and frightening but it eventually does get better, so don't give up."
Stroke Foundation chief executive officer Lisa Murphy highlighted the perfect timing of sharing this love story during Valentine's season. "There's no better time to share a beautiful story of love, hope and perseverance," Dr Murphy said.
The Importance of Stroke Awareness
Dr Murphy used the opportunity to remind West Australians about the crucial F.A.S.T. signs of stroke:
- Face drooping
- Arm weakness
- Speech difficulty
- Time is crucial
"You won't find the F.A.S.T. message on a standard greeting card but it is a vital piece of information that could one day save a life of you or your loved one," she emphasized, urging people to call triple zero immediately at the first signs of stroke.
This extraordinary love story serves as a powerful reminder that hope and connection can flourish even in the most challenging circumstances, offering inspiration to stroke survivors and their families across Australia.
