In July 2016 at the age of only 36 my wife Leeann had a stroke that affected the whole right side of her body. She couldn't walk, talk or even grip a pen. At the time our daughter was only 7 months old and Lee couldn't do anything with her or our son. It was a very scary time for all of us. After investigations at the Hospital it was discovered she had a hole in the heart through which a blood clot had escaped, worked its way around her body before getting lodged in her brain and causing a blockage depriving that area of blood and oxygen. The hole known as a Patent Foramen Ovale had been there since birth but was not discovered earlier. Other than the hole in her heart Lee is very fit and active and none of the other typical causes of Stroke were present leaving the hole as the only possible cause.

Despite this the consultants have said they can't fix the hole because NHS England has withdrawn all funding for such operations. Enquiries were made and letters written to the Home Secretary and the Health secretary but staggeringly they said the decision regarding funding stands and the operation can't go ahead on the NHS. This is an operation that would prevent further strokes and potentially save her life. Without NHS support the operation can only go ahead privately at a cost of around £20,000.

The doctors and nurses have been nothing but supportive and my wife and I thank them for everything they have done for our family but this decision made at a high level to save money at the expense of people's lives is appalling.

Any assistance you can give no matter how small would be hugely appreciated. Eventually we hope to have enough to get my wife the operation so she can live free from the worry of having another stroke that next time may prove fatal.

With thanks for your very kind attention

Rob and Leeann Lee.