Young stroke survivor inspires mum to stride for stroke

It’s every parent’s fear that something will happen to their child when they’re not there to protect them. Wee Waa mother Kerry Speer’s worst nightmare came true when her ten year old son Cameron had a stroke while away on a school camp. “It [the stroke] happened on the first afternoon. The teachers were fantastic, they knew something was seriously wrong,” Kerry explained. 

Cameron was rushed to Dubbo hospital three hours away, where thankfully doctors picked up straight away that he’d had a stroke. After receiving initial treatment at Dubbo, Cameron was airlifted to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. “As a parent you never expect someone to tell you your child has had a stroke, I was terrified,” Kerry said. 

Cameron’s stroke was caused by Moyamoya disease, a rare condition caused by blocked arteries at the base of the brain. Following his stroke, Cameron has had surgery to grow new arteries, ensuring blood flow to the brain and replacing the damaged arteries. “I’m so grateful to the teachers who got Cameron help and the medical team who picked up his condition so quickly,” Kerry said. 

“Despite his excellent treatment living with the after-effects of Cam’s stroke has been challenging, particularly as we live in a rural area. We’re often travelling to Sydney for Cam’s specialist appointments to check on his progress and monitor his condition. “In spite of his stroke Cam is doing so well, he’s back at school and the way he has coped with everything is remarkable.” 

Kerry is taking part in in Stride for Stroke, the National Stroke Foundation’s month long campaign to help improve services for stroke survivors and their families. Kerry is pledging to stride 200 kilometres and raise $1000 in an effort to help raise awareness of young stroke survivors like Cameron. “The reaction most people have when I tell them about Cam is ‘kids don't have strokes.’ I want to raise awareness that kids in fact do have strokes and there is not that much information out there about them,” Kerry said.

National Stroke Foundation New South Wales Executive Officer Teresa Howarth said Stride for Stroke aimed to raise vital funds to support stroke survivors like young Cameron and his family.

“Stride for Stroke is asking walkers and runners from across Australia to take on a personal challenge throughout November and fundraise to help us fight stroke,’’ Ms Howarth said.

“There are more than 146,000 stroke survivors living in New South Wales. Every dollar raised makes a difference in how we can support them.
“It doesn’t matter how far you stride – every effort counts in the battle against stroke.”

To find out more about Kerry’s pledge and make a donation click here.