Six hundred children and teens have a stroke each year in Australia

By Tara and Elisha

Six hundred children and teens have a stroke each year in Australia, and my son Elisha is one of them.

His first stroke happened when he was only 16 years old. He was in year 11 and he'd just finished first semester exams. He was having a normal day when in drama class it went BAM, numb face, numb arm and extreme nausea.

We had been living with the knowledge that a stroke may be in his future, because when Elisha was four years old, we found out that he had Wyburn Mason Syndrome, a congenital defect of blood vessels in his brain, otherwise known as AVM.

Knowing that probably saved his life. We were able to get him an ambulance quickly, he was rushed to hospital and treated without delay. For that, we can be thankful.

Even with quick treatment, the impact on him was extensive and he was in hospital and rehab for 99 days. A long time for anyone, but for a teen, it is endless.

But Elisha was stunning in his resilience and fortitude. Even though he had fatigue and left-sided hemiplegia he completed his final year of high school with his classmates. It was a fantastic milestone, and we are hugely proud of him.

Unfortunately, Elisha had a second stroke a mere eighteen months after his first. He was sitting at home when he just didn't feel right. The signs of stroke were not as obvious as he had a fixed pressure shunt placed during recovery from his first stroke. Though this doesn't reduce the risk of stroke for Elisha, in this case it did minimise the damage that the bleed caused.

Elisha is now 19 and he volunteers in the ABI ward where his experience with stroke helps people. Elisha says, "I'm able to give some people a ray of hope for their future".

While you're on the ward recovering it can seem a bit bleak at times. To see volunteers who have gone through something similar and are out the other side and doing a lot better encourages them.

I'm proud of Elisha for so many things. But at the top of the list would have to be that he has held on to his love of Jesus and grown in his Christian faith, even throughout the hard times.

He is an encouragement to others who are struggling.

Interview with Tara and Elisha

Tara: What advice do you have for parents?

I have so much advice! But one piece of helpful advice that I received from another childhood survivor is from when Elisha was still in ICU. I was told to bring to the hospital some comfort items from home. We took in a blanket from his bed, and it brought a little bit of home to him. He loved it.

As a second piece of advice, if possible, get other people to help with therapies. I found that Elisha and I were both too emotionally invested, and it didn't go well. Having someone else help meant the sessions went much better. It also means mum gets some down time. Looking after yourself as a parent is important so you have the energy to look after your child.

Elisha: What have you learned about yourself in the last few years?

Recovery may not always be obvious, but it is continual. So, I'm always getting better even though I may not notice it. The improvements may be small, but they are happening.

Elisha: what have been your biggest challenges and what are you most proud of?

Biggest challenges - I think adjusting my mindset from expecting pre-stroke Elisha to my new normal. Giving myself grace.

Most proud of - that although it's been a rough and very difficult situation, I've been experiencing I've been able to get involved in the brain injury community and get to know some amazing people.