I had a stroke at 33. I had 3 children then 12 year old Brooke 5 year old Allister and 2 year old Dillon; (who was still breast fed) I woke up Monday morning feeling fine . Got Allisters uniform to on Chris my husband was due to start his new job the next day so it as his last day helping.

I lost control of my left arm it as moving frantically I called to Chris and no words came out. I then heard buzzing in my head in my panic I went into o Chris and collapsed on the kitchen floor. Chris phoned an ambulance and I was whisked away they believed it to be a migraine. Scans 24 hours later showed I had had a stroke I had left side weakness and no use of my leg. I spent 9 days in hospital and then I was moved to a neuro rehabilitation unit The ted Bradley unit in king hospital . All in I all I spent 6 weeks away from my family and Different strokes supported us all and continue to do so.

Since

Every year 100,000 people have a stroke and a quarter of these people are under the age of 65. That's 25,000 younger people whose lives are changed in an instant.

Stroke is also the single biggest cause of disability in the UK, but it's not always the visible disabilities that stroke survivors have to contend with, debilitating fatigue, cognitive problems and personality changes can also be a lifelong challenge, preventing them from returning to work or bringing up a young family.

Different Strokes empowers younger survivors to reclaim their lives through active peer support, information and exercise.

Different Strokes also support the wider family to get through challenging times with compassion and understanding.

This is why I am taking on the 'March On' step challenge to raise vital funds to support the work of Different Strokes.