My very brave niece Emma is raising money to fund her rehabilitation after she had a stroke after having a baby. This is Emma's story in her own words...

On 27 July 2016 I gave birth to my first baby, a little boy named Theo. Two hours later my life was tragically turned upside down when I suffered a large stroke.

After giving birth to Theo I had to have an operation to remove my placenta. Upon being given the spinal anaesthetic, I had a really severe headache. My face dropped and my speech became slurred. I was rushed in for a scan which showed that I’d suffered a large bleed (haemorrhage) on the left side of my brain. I’d had a stroke. The stroke left me with no feeling or movement down my right side. I was unable to speak and lost my visual field on the right side of both eyes.

I didn’t see Theo for two weeks after he was born and I had to stay in hospital for 12 weeks. I was unable to do any of the things that I’d been looking forward to as a new mum, including breastfeeding, picking him up, cuddling him, putting him to bed, playing with him and everything else that most people take for granted. I still cannot lift him properly or care for him on my own. I am also no longer able to drive. My independence as a young mum and a young woman was stolen in one horrible moment.

Every day since I’ve been fighting to get my independence back. It’s been a long hard struggle but I’m determined to keep going with support from some amazing physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, hydrotherapy, visual field therapy, psychology and psychiatry professionals who are helping me become the person I once was again.

Since leaving hospital, the NHS has been unable to provide the level of rehabilitation I need through its outpatient service. So I’ve had to enlist the help of an incredible organisation called ARCOS for weekly occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. Unfortunately ARCOS has to charge for each session. I’ve also had to employ a private neurological physiotherapist to work with me to help me regain the strength and mobility in my arm and leg. All this means I’m currently spending £800 per month on private therapy. On top of this is the added cost of weekly hydrotherapy sessions and my visual field therapy as well as the cost of traveling to and from sessions.

It’s money very well spent but I’m finding it increasingly difficult to manage financially, especially with a growing baby. My fundraising target of £10,000 will cover the cost of my therapy for a whole year. This will make a huge difference to my long-term quality of life.

Please help me to fight this horrible stroke and enjoy being a mum to my lovely little boy.

Thank you

Emma x