This is my 6^th year anniversary as a Stroke survivor. 

On Thursday 18th June 2015, I had a Stroke, one of the youngest cases ever in the country, which caused me to lose my left peripheral vision. 

To this day, I still can’t see from the left side. 

After a series of MRI scans, heart tests & many bottles of blood taken, the doctors discovered that I had a hole in my heart that was pumping too much blood around my body. They realised that this ultimately had blocked the blood flow passing through an artery in my neck, which stopped oxygen from entering my brain. 

Had it been any longer, I could have died. 

Since then, I’ve had extensive tests, heart surgery as well as many different styles of therapy and the support from our NHS has been incredible. 

The stroke has affected me, a lot. Physically, I may seem fine, but mentally it has turned my life upside down. It has knocked my confidence. It has left me feeling more exhausted. And made me extremely anxious, as I’ve been diagnosed with PTSD, something I only thought soldiers suffered from. 

Every day is a real struggle for me. But living is always worth fighting for. 

I never want someone to ever have to go through what’s happened to me. 

And that’s why, when I can, I do anything to raise money for The Stroke Association. I’ve worked with them a few times in the past, even ran the Great North Run under them in support. Was training for the London Marathon, but due to running too much over lockdown, got runners knee (which is apparently a thing) and have to take it easy. 

So, this year, I’ll be doing something a little geekier. 

I’ve planned to do a 12-hour game stream through my twitch, and would love your support. I'm also going to stream a few more times to raise as much money as possible. 

Thank you