A mum-of-two was left paralysed on one side after "suffering a headache".
Liverpool woman Lin Cheveau had several strokes in her thirties, the second of which was "devastating", leaving her unable to walk, talk or write due to aphasia, which is caused by damage to the left side of the brain. She'd been "suffering a headache which wouldn't go away", her arm was weak and she couldn't talk properly when she went to collect her kids from school that day.
But when she visited hospital, she was faced with staff who had "little knowledge" of how to handle strokes. Fast diagnosis and treatment are vital for preventing disability and death as a result of strokes. Lin, now 73, said: "They were inexperienced and that was not their fault. I had no idea what was happening but I could not wait to get home and hide away from the world."
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After her own experience, Lin was eager to help others suffering the effects of stroke, which is the fifth biggest cause of death and disability in the UK, with 1.3 million survivors. In 2010, Lin started volunteering with the Stroke Association, which described her as a "dedicated and irreplaceable volunteer". More than a decade later, Lin has supported others with aphasia and shared her story at schools, police stations and NHS trusts, later joining the Liverpool University Stroke Survivors team.
She continued this work to a lesser degree after a fall down the stairs two years ago caused a bleed on her brain in almost the same place as her stroke. It made the stroke damage worse and meant she had to do speech and language therapy and undergo treatment for broken bones and nerve damage. Now, for Thank You Day on Sunday, June 5, the Stroke Association is thanking Lin for her "tireless work" raising awareness of stroke and its symptoms.
Lin said: "I've always wanted to help those who have suffered the devastating consequences of stroke. I want to show them the way forward, to show them that there is always hope and recovery is possible, to help them by sharing my own story and show them love and care. I want to help those who have suffered, I want to help them to regain that confidence."
In addition to a special thanks for Lin, the Stroke Association and its president, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, thanked other amazing volunteers this Thank You Day and Volunteers Week, which runs until Tuesday, June 7. The Duke of Kent said: "It is an honour to be able to say a huge thank you to every one of the fantastic volunteers at the Stroke Association.
"This special weekend, as we celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, it is fitting to also take time to recognise the service of the amazing volunteers who are supporting stroke survivors and their families every day as they rebuild their lives after stroke. We are inspired by your dedication, commitment and care towards others, particularly those volunteers who have been so badly affected by stroke themselves. My best wishes and thanks to you all."
