Hi all!

As most of you know I'm a young stroke survivor myself, after suffering a mini-stroke back in 2011 (aged 19) having my life changed forever.

Although I knew I was having a stroke (my grandfather had had two when I was a child)none of the medical professionals I encountered during, or immidiately afterwards, suspected a stroke or believed me when I tried to tell them. As a university student and teenager, I was accused of being on drugs or being pregnant, despite displaying all of the FAST signs that we're told to look out for. Even after finding out it was due to a hole in my heart (checks for this at birth were scrapped years ago), and having an operation to close it (something that has since been scrapped as well), there was little to no professional support afterwards.

With further NHS cuts happening every day, Different Strokes are proving invaluable physical and emotional support and care to those who need it. They are a charity for working-age stroke survivors and their carers, run by stroke survivors and relatives of stroke survivors. One of their main focuses at the moment, is working to raise funds and awareness to illustrate the need for these life-changing procedures and checks which could prevent future strokes from occurring.

Different Strokes recently conducted a survey which found that 84% of people think strokes only happen to the elderly. EIGHTY-FOUR PERCENT! A stroke, a mini-stroke, a TIA can happen to anyone at anytime, and DS are working hard to spread awareness and offer support to those who slip under the radar due to not looking like a typical stroke 'victim'.

The best thing I did for myself last year was to join a Different Strokes online support group. Hearing the stories of others, after years of living in shame, confusion and fear, made me feel less alone.

So please consider donating if you can, and if you can't just check in on your friendly neighbourhood stroke survivor!