Before her stroke, Elise was a typical 12 year old girl. She enjoyed music and dancing and went swimming whenever she could. She was just a week away from finishing her first year at secondary school when, in 2004, she had a massive stroke. Her family was told that the damage to her brain was so severe that it was unlikely she would ever regain consciousness. But recover she did, although slowly. Left unable to speak or move, she underwent hours of intensive physiotherapy and language therapy.
She still has very limited use of her right limbs, is partially deaf and blind on her right side, has partial paralysis of her jaw, has developed epilepsy and her speech is severely affected. Despite this, Elise’s great determination gives her a positive outlook on life. In 2006 she decided to climb a mountain and made it to within 70 metres of the summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain in South Wales before bad weather got the better of her. Her greatest achievement so far, she still wants to go back and get 'right to the top'!
Elise is just one of the 150,000 people in the UK who have a stroke each year. That's one person every five minutes. Most people affected are over 65, but anyone can have a stroke, including children and even babies.
Stroke is the single most common cause of severe disability and the third most common cause of death in the UK. More than a quarter of a million people live with disabilities caused by stroke.
The Stroke Association exists to help people like Elise and her family. We provide Rehabilitation and Support Services for stroke survivors and those who care for them, and fund research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation. We also campaign, educate and inform to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society, and we act as a voice for everyone affected by stroke.
Please visit our website at www.stroke.org.uk for more information.
A stroke is a medical emergency. Watch the film above and learn the F.A.S.T. test to recognise the symptoms of stroke. If you suspect a stroke, CALL 999 for immediate medical attention.
Prompt action can prevent further damage to the brain and help someone make a full recovery. Delay can result in death or major long-term disabilities.
Have your blood pressure checked regularly
Taking steps to change as many of these stroke risk factors as you can will lower your chances of stroke:
STOP SMOKING: It's a no-brainer - smoking doubles your risk of stroke as it causes your arteries to fur up and makes blood more likely to clot.
GET YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKED: High blood pressure causes the arteries to fur up and puts extra strain on blood vessels.
DRINK SENSIBLY: Afraid it's true - drinking too much alcohol raises blood pressure.
HEALTHY EATING: Get your five-a-day! Essential for a healthy heart and bloodstream.
MOVE YOUR BODY: Run, jump, swim, whatever - regular physical activity helps to lower blood pressure.
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