"I no longer hide my face"

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

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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.