A man from Inverness in Scotland, Tony Romaine, resumed his music career by learning to play guitar one-handed after a stroke left him unable to speak or walk. He spent seven months in hospital after his wife found him immobile due to a blood clot affecting his brain.
Tony played his first gig since the incident earlier this year and plans more shows in 2025, driven by his passion for music despite initial doubts about his ability to perform again. A lifelong music lover, Tony pushed himself to perform even when unwell, never imagining a stroke would soon follow.
When Tony experienced difficulty moving, he initially dismissed it as fatigue, only to find himself completely immobile by nightfall. His wife Lynn discovered him the next morning, but doctors were unable to break up the clot causing the stroke.
The severity of the stroke required Tony to be fed through tubes and kept him in ICU and the stroke unit at Raigmore Hospital. Despite challenges, Tony remained focused on returning to music, with rehab eventually helping him think about playing guitar.
Tony began his rehabilitation at RNI Community Hospital, initially learning to sit up, but his mind remained on music from the start. With support and determination, he slowly regained his ability to play guitar, overcoming the challenges posed by his left arm and hand.
Progress was gradual, but Tony learned adaptable techniques to play guitar again, starting with a simplified version of “Eleanor Rigby” by the Beatles. Inspired by Edwyn Collins’ recovery, he began working on new music, releasing “Standing Stone” and playing a 30-minute gig.
Tony now aims to build stamina for longer performances and plans charity gigs to support Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland and Oxygen Works. Through his journey, he hopes to inspire others not to give up, showing that recovery and fulfillment are possible.
