We are fighting stroke together

By Stephen

I am running in this year’s City2Surf to help ensure that survivors of stroke get quality and sustained support to live a dignified and meaningful life, and to support and empower families and loved ones who step into the carer role so suddenly.

Our family has received resources and been supported by the Stroke Foundation’s StrokeLine team (1800 787 653), and we want others to get the same support.

In October 2022, mum collapsed on the bathroom floor. She knew something was wrong, she woke up with a pounding headache and had asked her sister to drive her to the hospital. I was asleep at the time and was awoken by a fumble in the bathroom and yelling from my aunty. At this point mum’s eyes were shut and her jaw was stiff. She was seizing up. I knew then it was either a seizure or a stroke — I didn’t want to think about the worst case scenario.

I was her first responder, delivering first aid, CPR and calling the ambulance to link her to care as soon as possible. This happened whilst I was going into shock. I was hysterical after only completing the first aid training the week prior.

Mum suffered a significant brain injury — a brain aneurysm.

Surgery was a success but what came after was very confronting. The familiar kind face that I knew had changed. Mum's hair was shaven, her eyes closed and swollen, a tube went down mum's throat and was the only thing helping her to breathe. The neurosurgeons removed part of mum's skull to help her brain expand. It took three months to step her down from the ICU. I was beyond heart-broken.

It was, and still is a harrowing and extremely difficult experience that has changed mum forever.

But, we are fortunate, our family and friends have all pulled together, we’ve forged closer ties with our support network and have been introduced to uncommonly kind people. I can’t imagine what it is like for people without this vital support.

Dad, our extended family and I are resolved to do whatever we can to help mum get to where she can live with dignity, relative autonomy and a life filled with rich experiences.

Five months after her stroke mum is slowly regaining her ability to talk, open her eyes, and to move a little bit more. She still has left side hemiplegia, but we hope that we can see some improvement.

I am deeply moved by the strength shown by my mum and dad, and I’m also proud of how adaptable we’ve become in adjusting to this life-changing event. .

I hope that by running in the City2Surf I can help my family, and others impacted by stroke.