Objectives: The objectives of the study were to explore and describe the lived experiences of CVA patients and to find the functional independence in activities of daily living of CVA patients. ethods: Data collection tools include demographic and clinical proforma, Standardized Barthel Index and a semi- structured interview with a lead question, “Could you tell me what happened when you had the stroke?” The ethical principles of informed consent, anonymity and confidentiality, beneficence and justice were acknowledged and addressed in this study. Pilot study was conducted among three patients with CVA attending Nandi’s Rehabilitation Centre, Quilandi, Calicut and the study design was found to be feasible.Main study was conducted among 10 patients attending Malabar Rehabilitation Centre, Nadakkavu, Calicut, Kerala. Purposive sampling technique was used till data was saturated. Average of 45 minutes to one hour were taken to complete each interview. The interviews were audio recorded for analysis.The transcribed data was translated into English; the themes were derived and submitted to three experts for validation. esults: The major themes derived from the study were adaptation to life after stroke, living in a restricted world, dealing with trapped emotions, living with altered perception of self and life as rehabilitation…post stroke stage. Conclusion: Study concluded that CVA patients find different ways to adapt to their life after stroke. Providing them with opportunities to narrate their experiences and feelings to persons outside the home context might be helpful. Implementing measures to improve function and prevent disability will help to improve their well being.

Keywords: Living with CVA; Stroke; Experience; Qualitative Research.