On 19th January, Steve Wall suffered a stroke at 55 years old. His family have been fundraising to help Steve rebuild his independence during his recovery journey.
His strength and care he received during his life-saving surgeries pulled him through. However, the stroke has left him with significant and lasting cognitive, communitive, and physical impairment.
He’s now in a version of his life where even the simple things like moving around his home, enjoying the outdoors, using the bathroom will become a new difficult challenge.
Whilst there are limits to the services the NHS can provide, the family are hoping to raise funds to help adapt Steve’s home and giving him the best possible quality of life going forward.
This includes, but not limit to:
- Installing a downstairs bathroom
- Making essential modifications for safety
- Reconfiguring the decking area in the garden, so he can safely enjoy time outdoors
- Generally reshaping his home to help him regain some much-needed independence
- Exploring advanced therapies, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy
With the right support and environment, Steve can find new strength and confidence in his surroundings.
What Happened to Steve — and What You Should Know
Steve’s stroke was a cerebral artery stroke, caused by a carotid artery dissection; a tear in the lining of one of the main arteries in the neck. This tear can allow blood to enter the artery wall, leading to a clot or blockage that may travel to the brain and cause a stroke.
What makes this condition especially alarming is that it often strikes otherwise healthy individuals, with little or no warning. In Steve’s case, he was active, a regular at the gym, took part in Park Runs (even after a knee replacement), and hadn’t touched alcohol for years.
A carotid dissection can be triggered by something as seemingly minor as a sudden neck movement, a minor injury, or even without any clear cause at all.
Warning Signs to Watch For:
- Sudden, severe headache or neck pain (often different from a typical headache)
- Dizziness or trouble with balance
- Blurred or double vision
- Slurred speech
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the body
- Drooping on one side of the face
- A pulsing sound in the ear (also called a “whooshing” sound or pulsatile tinnitus)
- Trouble swallowing
- An abnormal sense of taste
These symptoms can be easy to overlook or mistake for something else, but if you or someone you know experiences any of them, seek emergency medical attention immediately. When it comes to strokes, time is critical.
Support Steve Wall Here
