In August 2025, during the summer holiday, I was rendered bedbound by the most painful illness I had ever experienced. I was constantly vomiting. I couldn’t walk in a straight line; a task as simple as walking up the stairs demanded all my focus to avoid careening into the wall. Worst of all were the headaches which I could find no respite from – sitting up made my head pound, while laying down made it feel like it was sinking.

The local GP misdiagnosed me with a gastrointestinal virus. When the pain reached an agonising climax two days later, my family took me to A+E. Initially, the doctor suspected the issue was severe swelling in my ears, but when my dad drew his attention to my inability to walk in a straight line, he arranged for me have a CT scan.

Hours later, I was strapped to a stretcher, being rushed to St George’s Hospital by ambulance. The results of the CT scan suggested that I had experienced a stroke. After some more scans, the medical team figured out what had been causing the horrible symptoms. My brain had bled due to something called a cavernoma; a cluster of abnormal blood vessels, most commonly found in people’s brains or spinal cords. Here’s what mine looks like:

I remember sitting on the hospital bed, watching the doctor gesture to the picture on the screen. Listening to her explanation of what a cavernoma is. Staring at the rocky looking lump that had wreaked so much havoc and wondering – what now?

A question I might not have had an answer for, if it hadn’t been for Cavernoma Alliance.

During our conversation, the doctor told us about the group; a charity founded ‘to provide support and information for all those affected by cavernomas’. When Mum got in contact with their WhatsApp group, she was met with an outpouring of kindness and advice from the community. Additionally, they gave me several free therapy sessions with a lovely counsellor, who I could discuss my worries with, cavernoma related or not. The group was an incredible support for my family and I during such a confusing and challenging time, and we will be forever grateful for them.

On Saturday 6th June, me, my mum and members of the Cavernoma Alliance will be climbing Snowdon, the tallest mountain in England and Wales. I am fundraising to ensure they can continue to raise awareness about cavernomas and support those with them. Any and every donation will go towards supporting the incredible work of the charity.