MY STROKE SURVIVAL – A Personal and Team Victory.

In January 2013 I knew very little about stroke except that it couldn’t happen to someone of my age in seemingly perfect health who had never smoked and had received a thorough medical check each year.  Life was pretty good really with a great career as a pilot flying 747 Jumbo-Jets around the world after 18 years as an RAF fast jet pilot.  In my spare time I enjoyed cars, motorbikes and extreme sports until, without warning on 26th January last year aged only 44 everything changed. Whilst on a skiing trip in the French Alps I had a stroke caused by a sudden massive arterial bleed in my brain. 

After an emergency helicopter flight to expert medical care in Grenoble I received immediate, life-saving neurosurgery and the long road to recovery and rehabilitation began.  Just one year later I can now reflect on how lucky I am. Having made a miraculous recovery   I am now fit and well, although I have lost a significant amount of my sight through visual field damage along with my career as a pilot, which I loved.

Now,just 18 months on, I am delighted to be able to take part in the Great North Run to raise money for the Stroke Association and hopefully increase awareness and help others less fortunate than myself who have been tragically affected by this relatively little understood condition that kills or irreversibly changes the lives of survivors and those involved.

On that same January day my gorgeous wife Jennifer was suddenly thrown into the critical role of nurse, carer, and counsellor.  I now realise that Stroke is not just a personal battle but also a team event that affects young as well as old and all those it touches.  Without her I am certain I would not be here today and I am proud that we will both be running and crossing the finishing line together.  Please support Jen also, and read how devastating stroke can be for loved ones and all those touched by this  terrible condition.  

Read Jen's Story here... http://www.justgiving.com/JenFewtrell-GNR

Thank you for supporting me or Jennifer as we complete the Great North Run 2014 and help us raise funds for the Stroke Association.

Rich