Omagh man writes book about his stroke survival journey

A FIRST-TIME author from Omagh has turned personal adversity into a powerful story of resilience with the release of his debut memoir, ‘The Final Peace: A Stroke Survivor’s Journey’.

Paul Allen, originally from the Dublin Road area of Omagh and now living in Lisburn, suffered a life-altering stroke that forced him into early retirement and left him grappling with a host of physical and mental challenges.

His deeply personal book, published by independent Belfast-based publisher Shanway Press, chronicles his arduous road to recovery and the fulfilment of a lifelong dream.

“Over the last ten years, I’ve battled my way back from the depths of ill health, despair, addiction and forced retirement to find, design and develop a new me,” said Paul.

“I hope this book will be of some use to others going through a similarly difficult time.”

Spanning 27 chapters and over 130,000 words, ‘The Final Peace’ is far more than a medical memoir.

It offers a raw, introspective look at the emotional and psychological toll of stroke recovery, along with insights into Paul’s pre-existing eye condition, keratoconus, and the enduring impacts of neurological trauma.

Despite the odds, Paul achieved what once seemed impossible: sailing solo to France and spending over eight years exploring the rivers and canals of mainland Europe – a journey symbolic of both physical healing and inner peace.

He cites the sobering statistic that one in four people over 25 will suffer a stroke in their lifetime. “Of those, many don’t survive the first 24 hours – and among survivors, very few make a full recovery,” he said.

“No two strokes are the same, just as no two people are the same.”

He added, “Both my publisher and my neuro consultant tell me that ‘The Final Peace’ is a fascinating insight into much more than the attempt to fix a broken mind.”

The Final Peace: A Stroke Survivor’s Journey is available now from Shanway Press and can be ordered via their website at www.shanway.com.