At 35 I was the creative director of Ralph Lauren Europe and at the top of my game. Married to a wonderful man and with a great career, the next thing to do was have a baby. I left work to go on maternity leave and at the end of my pregnancy developed a condition called preeclampsia, still I was told that preeclampsia was cured once you gave birth so four weeks later I gave birth to a wonderful baby boy and I couldn't be happier.
Five weeks later I developed a pain in my neck and a terrible headache. Putting this down to the tiredness and stress of caring for a baby I didn't worry too much until one day I found myself unable to find the words for what I was trying to say and could not remember my cats names. I laughed it off and it went away but a few days later I found myself fallen out of bed unable to get up, terrified of the light coming in through the curtains.
My husband called an ambulance and causing quite a scene on my street with 3 ambulances, 2 police cars and a helicopter I was carted off to hospital and put into an induced coma. I was in a coma for 10 days and after coming round was convinced I was fine because my brain could only recognise the right. The left being completely paralysed and suffering from Hemispatial neglect I couldn't understand what all the fuss was about and told the doctors all I needed was a hot bath, cup of tea and a kit kat! I realised the problem when I tried to get up and walk to the toilet, I couldn't!
After 101 days in hospital I came home still in a wheelchair but able to talk eat and drink and very keen to take care of my baby. After another month or so I was up on my feet with the aid of a walking stick. No movement in my left arm or hand unfortunately but quickly learnt how to do most things one handed and most importantly back home with my husband and son.
After such a devastating shock to our new family we reevaluate our lives and decided to leave our London jobs behind and start a new life in Devon where we met whilst at university. Our son is now five and has just finished his first year at primary school.
Unable to return to work yet due to seizures caused by the stroke and severe fatigue I couldn't just sit at home doing nothing so I decided to fulfill a long held dream and begin a part - time masters degree in photography at Plymouth university. I have just passed my first year and with another year to go I am very excited to be taking my photography forward to a new and exciting place!
Although I still have some difficulties as a result of my stroke I am very happy to be here and feeling positive about the future.
Five weeks later I developed a pain in my neck and a terrible headache. Putting this down to the tiredness and stress of caring for a baby I didn't worry too much until one day I found myself unable to find the words for what I was trying to say and could not remember my cats names. I laughed it off and it went away but a few days later I found myself fallen out of bed unable to get up, terrified of the light coming in through the curtains.
My husband called an ambulance and causing quite a scene on my street with 3 ambulances, 2 police cars and a helicopter I was carted off to hospital and put into an induced coma. I was in a coma for 10 days and after coming round was convinced I was fine because my brain could only recognise the right. The left being completely paralysed and suffering from Hemispatial neglect I couldn't understand what all the fuss was about and told the doctors all I needed was a hot bath, cup of tea and a kit kat! I realised the problem when I tried to get up and walk to the toilet, I couldn't!
After 101 days in hospital I came home still in a wheelchair but able to talk eat and drink and very keen to take care of my baby. After another month or so I was up on my feet with the aid of a walking stick. No movement in my left arm or hand unfortunately but quickly learnt how to do most things one handed and most importantly back home with my husband and son.
After such a devastating shock to our new family we reevaluate our lives and decided to leave our London jobs behind and start a new life in Devon where we met whilst at university. Our son is now five and has just finished his first year at primary school.
Unable to return to work yet due to seizures caused by the stroke and severe fatigue I couldn't just sit at home doing nothing so I decided to fulfill a long held dream and begin a part - time masters degree in photography at Plymouth university. I have just passed my first year and with another year to go I am very excited to be taking my photography forward to a new and exciting place!
Although I still have some difficulties as a result of my stroke I am very happy to be here and feeling positive about the future.
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