"I no longer hide my face"

Susan Baldock, 58, shares how she recovered her confidence after having Bell's palsy

It was just over 20 years ago when my symptoms developed rapidly. My throat felt sore that day, but I dismissed it and went out with my husband for a date night. Over dinner he looked at me, horrified, and said he was taking me home because my face had begun to droop. We were worried but I went to bed thinking I'd be OK after some sleep. When I woke up, my eye, cheek and mouth had dropped on one side, and I could hardly talk. I thought I'd had a stroke.

My doctor diagnosed Bell's palsy and immediately sent me to the hospital for physiotherapy. Possible causes ranged from a virus to stress. I was signed off work, and didn't go back for almost a year while I tried to get better and recover my speech. I still can't say my 'B's, and have to show a card with my surname on to strangers so that I'm understood.