I had a stroke when I was six years old

By Hailey

I had a stroke when I was six years old, more than 25 years ago now. It took a long time to get a diagnosis, and during that whole time, I felt so confused and scared.

I remember having these overwhelming feelings I couldn’t even put into words. I was really terrified. I was a little kid dealing with aphasia, constant fatigue, and balance issues. It was beyond my understanding.

For a while, I felt ashamed of what had happened. I became really frustrated and annoyed with myself.

To make things even harder, the paediatric system at the time wasn’t equipped to deal with childhood stroke. So, most of my treatment happened in adult settings. I remember asking Mum, “Where are the other kids like me?”, and she didn’t have an answer. Which made me feel isolated.

Things changed for me when we found out about Heads Together (Victoria). They run camps for families who have a child with an acquired brain injury, places where you can connect with others and build friendships. I found it a good space to just be myself without the weight of stigma I sometimes felt in the wider community.

It gave me a sounding board and a network to get advice from people 'living ít’ too. I think kids need that kind of support, because as a young person, thinking about your goals can feel really overwhelming.

I needed a place, and I found one.

Now, I’ve got a partner, a stepson, and I work part-time as a disability support worker for young people with mental health challenges and acquired brain injury.

In my spare time, I do a lot of awareness work co designing around brain injury and stroke, and I still volunteer and work for Heads Together.

Growing up, I felt so alone, and that’s not something I want anyone else to go through.



This is what I have learned, I hope it helps other people:

Just know - you’re not alone. There are others out there who get it, especially now with Facebook and support groups.

My family always put me at the centre of decisions. Mum always pushed for the things I cared about most at the time. - "Thanks Mum".

Going back to school wasn’t just about academics, it was about making friends and finding my place again. And we built that game plan together.

At the time of my stroke, there were doubts about whether I’d ever speak again. But I’ve come a long way, thanks to my family’s support and my own determination.

You never know what you can achieve. Just because one medical professional says, “Maybe that’s not a good idea,” doesn’t mean you can’t work toward it as a long-term goal.

You’ll be surprised how much a child will push if they believe in the goal.

My parents never said, “You can’t do that.” They just said it might take a little longer. That was the culture I grew up in. I wasn’t treated differently to my siblings, and that really helped me back myself whenever I was learning something new.

Over time, I’ve learned to accept that these are the cards I’ve been dealt, and I’ve found my own way around the challenges.

I can do everything anyone else can do - I just do it a little differently.