Emma

“I’m Emma and I had my stroke in May 2017 (aged 27). I had started university in March to follow my dream career of becoming a Paediatric Nurse and on the Wednesday (the day of my stroke) I had successfully completed a presentation assignment. As we had completed the assignment some of my friends and I decided to go out for a few drinks to celebrate. I woke up the next morning and couldn’t work out why I couldn’t see anything out of my left eye. I called out to my friend and she came rushing in. We went to A&E where an eye doctor saw me. He explained that he thought I had an eye infection and to go home to rest.

After two days spent in bed convinced I had a migraine associated with the eye infection, my friend from home came to visit me. He quickly realised that something was not right. By this time my speech was not making any sense, I was very sensitive to light and I had severe cramp down my left leg. He took me straight back to A&E where they thought I was having a bad migraine but, just to be sure they sent me to have a CT scan.

The next thing I knew a doctor came into the room and told me that they had seen something on the scan and that I would need to stay in for more tests. At this point I had no idea what they had seen; and I was terrified. It wasn’t until I was taken for another scan and moved to the stroke unit that I realised what had happened. All I could think was… I am too young to be on this ward – the people on this ward are so much more ill than me etc. It still hadn’t sunk in.

It was found that I had a dissection of my carotid artery – which meant I had two clots; one to my brain and one to my eye. After a month in hospital undergoing various tests and therapy I was allowed home, supported by the early supported discharge service. The early supported discharge service was great! The very next day after discharge from hospital they visited me at home and put together a therapy plan including a specialist support worker nurse, physio and speech and language and occupational therapies. I can’t thank them enough.

Now after 6 months off and a lot of hard work and determination I am back at university and again pursuing my dreams. It’s not easy some days. Sometimes I struggle with the loss of vision in my left eye, the fatigue, and my speech. I would say to other younger survivors to never give up and be positive. I truly believe positivity and determination got me back to where I am today! I am so thankful to all my family, friends, doctors, nurses, Different Strokes and everyone else who have supported me and got me this far.”

Tracy Emerson-Smith

"My name is Tracy Emerson-Smith and I am 50 and single, living in Birmingham. I had my thalamic stroke six weeks after my 50th birthday in April this year

I guess on reflection the warning signs were there… I have worked in the homeless sector for the last 25 years and it has been more than a job. I manage a group of managers- who manage homeless services for vulnerable adults. It is a tough but an absolutely rewarding job. I am the eldest daughter of two and have a beautiful 28-year-old son. I would confidently say after the death of my mum when I was just 9 years old, that I was head of my family. This responsibility then increased when my Dad was diagnosed aged 66 with early onset dementia

Following years of working way too hard I had developed some awful lifestyle habits: I smoked, loved my bourbon, ate terrible food, and developed type 2 diabetes. I was literally burning the candle at both ends- working, caring for my Dad, and partying and at time of stroke I had started dating. I was so excited in midst of the madness that was my life – I was going to be a grandma for first time.

The scene is set and here I was a week before my 50th Birthday and I received the call, a call which I think was catalyst for increased stress. The stress alongside all the other factors which led to my stroke. My son called me on to tell me his partner had gone into premature labour; their son, my first Grandson had been stillborn

Six weeks later following a busy bank holiday, I was home alone. I felt like I was shaking inside, like something had snapped. I Googled my symptoms and I believed I was having a hypo – I made myself a sandwich and I fell asleep on sofa. The next morning, I tried to get up and my left leg felt like an elastic band and I couldn’t raise my arm. I phoned my best friend and whilst slurring my words joked that if I didn’t know better I would think that I had had a stroke. I was taken by ambulance and admitted to stroke ward – my MRI confirmed I had a bleed on right side of my brain

Six months later I haven’t returned to work, I no longer smoke and drink very rarely. I have lost 12 kg so far and I have finally learnt to ask for and accept help. I am about to start community rehab program at Moor Green Brain Injury Clinic. The main impact has been my balance on my left side (wonky 😊), the chronic fatigue which is an ongoing battle and an overwhelming feeling of loss of the person I was pre-stroke

I could have remained lost in my own self-pity had I not have discovered the Different Strokes family. The Facebook group has been my best friend, my confidante, my champion, my reality check, my Saturday night out, my personal advisor and my second family. My sister who has been my absolute rock has also gained insight and support from the group in helping her to support and understand my journey.

I do plan to return to work but not sure what that looks like yet. I also hope to re-do my 50th year celebrations with those who travelled this journey alongside me, but it will be as the person I am now- I do not want to return to the life that lead me here."