The 27th November 2015 wasn’t going to be my average day- at 27 I’d had a stroke! 

Feeling out of sorts and looking in the mirror I noticed there was a drop in my face but I continued my day by going to work. Work colleagues looked concerned when they seen me that morning and I brushed it off as ‘nothing serious’ even to the point I was convinced this was an allergic reaction, so I went in search for an antihistamine only for the pharmacist to tell me I needed to go to A&E. Still convinced this was an overreaction I reluctantly checked in at A&E; apologising in advance for wasting their time. 

I was rushed through initially being treated for Bells Palsy followed by a number of tests and doctors monitoring me to be told I had, had a stroke. Surly at 27 this wasn’t possible? I’d only paid for an hours parking thinking I was going back to work. 

To mark the 5years it’s been I am going to complete the ‘Stride for Stroke’ challenge by walking 1.2million steps; 1 step for each of the 1.2million stroke survivors in the UK to help raise crucial funds to rebuild lives after stroke- I was one of the lucky people! 

The 1.2 million steps challenge works out at 10,000 steps a day for 120 days. Should you wish to contribute a donation then please click on the link below. The impact of a stroke can be completely life-altering, but so can the impact of your help.