Loren was 25, exercising in the garden, when all of a sudden, she had a pain in her neck. Thinking she had just pulled her neck, she went to sit down. Minutes later she was unable to speak, see or move. Dropping in and out of consciousness, not having any control over anything. She couldn't swallow, she couldn't stop my teeth from chattering and she could only cry out of one eye. She was having a stroke. She 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, Loren's partner was able to come and kiss her goodbye. And goodbye is exactly what Loren thought it would be. But with the knowledge and specialist care she received, she lives to tell her story.

She has been and continues to try to get her fitness back so after running 15 miles in 2021 to raise money for Stroke association, she will be running 26.2 miles in 2022 London Marathon. Will it be easy? Most definitely not! Will it be worthit? Absolutely!

As Loren's brother, Kallan was and is one of her biggest supporters and has been there throughout the whole journey. Stroke does not just affect the person, it affects their loved ones, just in a different way. This is just another way that Kallan is supporting, by running 26.2 miles in 2022 London Marathon. Just to make it that little bit more difficult, we will now be running separate marathons due to Kallan breaking his ankle and needing to defer his place.

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.