Our unbreakable bond drives recovery

By Marcus and Benji

I was a very fit 47-year-old guy when I had my stroke in August 2020. I competed in Muay Thai, stair climbing and was a personal trainer.

The day I had my stroke was just like any other day. I was getting into my car after a training session, and I suddenly felt off. My mobile slipped out of my hand, and I could not pick it up. I felt numbness down my left side and couldn't move my mouth properly. I knew the common signs of a stroke and was pretty sure I was having one. I alerted help and an ambulance was called immediately.

After my stroke, I recovered well physically, but mentally it was another story. The fear of having another stroke and how that could impact my family was challenging.

I learned that when a stroke happens, it impacts the whole family.

For my own family, I can see the impact most acutely in my son Benji. He was only 3 years old when he saw me taken away by ambulance, and due to COVID-19 restrictions he could not see me while I was in hospital. It made him hyper-vigilant about my health and if he sees an ambulance, it can set him off - it breaks me.

To support my recovery and Benji’s confidence, we started to run, and stair climb together, and this has built into a dad and son team.

We train together two to three times per week. Benji will ride his bike with me while I run, we often choose some stairs to run up together and we do Muay Thai and Karate training together.

Training with Benji inspires me. Having the opportunity to show him the benefits of a healthy lifestyle is very important to me, and spending time with my son is something that I could have lost. I prioritse quality time with him.

Stroke can change your perspective on life, I find it motivates me to focus fully on health and my family. The bond I have with Benji is one of my biggest joys.

I think training with Benji has helped him too. He sees me being active and strong, and it builds confidence that his dad is here to stay. He can see that I am ok, and it puts him more at ease.

I couldn’t be prouder of Benji. He is amazing, his determination is impressive for someone so young, and his love for everyone he meets is beautiful. He lights everyone up with his smile. People involved in Stair Climbing Australia and Stair Challenge Australia are blown away by him, he smiles while running and has cuddles at the end.

Although it must have been terrifying for him when I had my stroke, spending time together has been the best medicine for both of us.

And while his fear still comes up sometimes, Benji puts on a brave face, gives me a cuddle and says, "Daddy, I will look after you forever".

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I love you little man, Dad.