All Survivor Stories

12 years ago, at the age of 43, I very unexpectedly suffered a severe hemorrhagic stroke. I was fit and healthy at the time, my consultant even remarked that I was the last person he expected to have a stroke.

I had just retired at the age of 58. I was looking forward to restoring our quirky Georgian house, with plans for a B&B. I had dreamt of this as our retirement project. Then “bang” the explosion.

Ryley had a stroke in January 2021, aged 9 years old, causing right sided weakness and speech difficulties.

I was 19 when I was t-boned in a little 1997 Mazda Miata by a full-size truck. At the hospital, I didn't understand what was going on.

In June 2019 I had a subarachnoid haemorrhage, due to a burst brain aneurysm. Optimism and determination were essential to my recovery.

In January 2019 I had a frontal craniotomy to remove a cyst which may have been causing several grand mal seizures. Little did I know this would present a whole new set of challenges.

At the age of 11, Axel survived my subarachnoid hemorrhage. Life hasn’t been too bad. I’m grateful for what I’ve been able to do, despite my limits.

At the age of 42, I had a brain hemorrhage and aphasia, which is a communication disorder. After the operation I couldn’t speak for two years. My social network fell apart.

8th June 2020, I woke up and something didn't feel right. I couldn't seem to get comfortable on my right side. In fact, that whole side felt weird.