I am a stroke survivor

I was 25, exercising in the garden, when all of a sudden, I had a pain in my neck. Thinking I had just pulled my neck, I went to sit down. Minutes later I was unable to speak, see or move. Dropping in and out of consciousness, not having any control over anything. I couldn't swallow, I couldn't stop my teeth from chattering and I could only cry out of one eye. I was having a stroke. I had a blood clot in the basilar artery that comes with a death rate of higher than 85% and an even higher chance of suffering from locked in syndrome. Laying in the ambulance, alone, my partner was able to come and kiss me goodbye. And goodbye is exactly what I thought it would be. But with the knowledge and specialist care I received and am currently receiving, I live to tell my story.

My fitness took a big hit after so I have been making it my mission to not only get my fitness back, but to be the fittest I have ever been. I ran 15 miles in 2021 to raise money, now I will be running 26.2 miles in 2022! Will it be easy? Definitely not. Will it be worthit? Absolutely!

There are no words or actions that will ever repay what the Stroke association and the NHS did for me, but hopefully this will show a small percentage of just how thankful I am! 

I know times are hard at the moment, but please read my story. My story is just one of so many. Dig deep and donate as little or as much as you can.

To read more of my story, click below.

Part 1- https://footprintsfortwo.wordpress.com/2020/07/16/the-stroke-that-should-have-killed-me/

Part 2- https://footprintsfortwo.wordpress.com/2020/07/29/mechanical-thombectomy-that-saved-me/

Part 3- https://footprintsfortwo.wordpress.com/2020/10/02/my-time-in-hospital/

Part 4- https://footprintsfortwo.wordpress.com/2021/01/14/deep-vein-thrombosisis/

When stroke strikes, part of your brain shuts down. And so does a part of you. Life changes instantly and recovery is tough. But the brain can adapt. Our specialist support, research and campaigning are only possible with the courage and determination of the stroke community. With more donations and support from you, we can rebuild even more lives.