We’re excited to announce the latest episodes of the Life After Cardiac Arrest podcast! This special two-part series features Jeanne Reilly, a cardiac arrest survivor and experienced speech and language therapist.
In Part 1, Jeanne shares her personal journey of surviving cardiac arrest—what happened, how she coped, and the challenges she faced on her path to recovery. Her story is both moving and relatable, especially for those who have experienced the unique hurdles that come after such a life-changing event.
One of the most common issues survivors face is difficulty with communication—missing words, trouble expressing thoughts, and other language challenges. That’s why Jeanne’s perspective is so valuable: as a speech and language therapist, she understands these struggles firsthand and brings professional insight into overcoming them.
You can listen to the episodes below or on Spotify, Apple or your favourite podcast player.
Listen to Part 1 now, and don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss the next episode!
And in Part 2, we dive deeper into Jeanne’s professional expertise. She shares practical advice and strategies that can help other survivors and their families navigate communication challenges and rebuild confidence after cardiac arrest.
After our first meet-up in February 2015, I realised I was not alone. It was the first time since my cardiac arrest the previous year that I had spoken face-to-face with someone who had experienced what I had. This was also true for my wife, who also happened to be my lifesaver. From that meet-up, the idea of SCA UK was born. Since then, we have achieved a considerable amount, primarily providing information, resources and support to others in a similar situation but also raising the profile of survivorship and the need for better post-discharge care. We are starting to get traction in this, and with the formation of the charity, I genuinely believe we have a bright future ahead and will make a significant difference in the lives of many who join our ranks.