Life After Stroke

When Becky Beaumont went to bed after returning home from a pub quiz in October 2011, awaking to find the left side of her body in complete paralysis was the last thing she expected.

“I woke up listening to my dad go to work. I didn’t have any aches or pains but I had a bit of a headache. Then I tried to reach for my phone and my left arm would not lift. I thought I had pins and needles so I tried to lift it again but I still couldn’t do it. I lifted my left leg up and that didn’t work. Nothing was connecting so I started to panic and I called my mum.”

I asked Becky if the paralysis had affected her speech.“No, thank God it didn’t affect my mind! When my mum came in I could see something was wrong. What I did not realise at the time was that my face had dropped. So she had obviously seen that and called an ambulance. Paramedics arrived in less than five minutes and despite the droop, they kept saying that they were not jumping to conclusions. It might have been an infection in the brain or it could have been a problem with my nerves.

“Luckily, I live next to a hospital so I was rushed in with my mum, who was crying her eyes out. I didn’t really know what was going on but I knew it was bad. The doctors were waiting for me at the door who then rushed me into resus. I saw about six doctors and they kept checking if any movement was coming back but nothing was changing. The droop, thank God, settled after four hours or so. Then I just remember one doctor saying, “We think you’ve had a stroke.’”

After rigorous testing, Becky discovered that a large hole in her heart had allowed a clot into her vascular system that blocked the oxygen supply to the right side of her brain. The ensuing paralysis has left Becky with several disabilities but she remains inspiringly defiant.

“Rehabilitation started almost immediately. After a day or two the paralysis eased but I was left with massive weaknesses. I could lift my leg, but it was like moving through treacle. Your brain wants you to do it but it is struggling. I was in hospital for two weeks but I forced them to let me leave on the condition that I kept going with the physiotherapy. I had to have my house adjusted, too. There is now a handrail on the stairs and a seat in the bath because of my balance. I still have awful balance. 14 months on I can walk but I have a limp and I suffer from fatigue. It was my sister’s 18th last Sunday, for example. I spent the Saturday baking and getting things ready for her but when it came to the party, I was so tired that I had to go for a nap in the middle of the event.”

Strokes are becoming more common in young people. A recent American study highlighted a substantial increase in the proportion of patients who have had a stroke between the ages of 20 and 54. In 1994, 13 per cent of sufferers were younger than 55 but in 2005 that figure had risen to 19 per cent.

My conversation with Becky turned to plans for the future. “Well I am getting married. Chris [Becky’s childhood sweetheart] popped the question in July but we are not getting married until 2015. I will not walk down the aisle with a limp! I don’t know if I will go back to hairdressing because of the fatigue and the weakness in my hands. I have been blogging a lot. It helps me stay positive. I am only 22 so I don’t see the point in dwelling on it. I would rather use my writing skills to tell people what happened instead of wallowing. Writing keeps me busy because my days are long and boring as I can’t do much.”

Becky has become a notable force on Twitter since the creation of her blog, Eva Longoria, David Hasselhoff, Sugar Ray Leonard, Jessica Alba and Jessie J are among the many celebrities who have tweeted about Becky’s work. Indeed, Jessie J herself had a stroke aged 18 after an exhaustion related breakdown. Her optimism has also helped her preserve important relationships.

“Luckily, key relationships have not changed that much. My family and friends have certainly become more paranoid but they are all incredibly loving. Maintaining relationships has been easy because I am so open about what happened. People who don’t know me are more complicated. We went to TGI Fridays a few months after the stroke with friends and a waiter asked me why I was limping. When I told him that I had a stroke he was so shocked and embarrassed! Instead of me feeling bad, I feel bad for other people! Sometimes I lie and say I have a bad back. I have a duty to be strong about it for my family and friends. They have had to go through it too!”

Becky recently became an ambassador for the Stroke Association in an attempt to generate investment in support for young people who have had a stroke.

“The Stroke Association found me through my blog. I love being ambassador for them. There is still not much support for young people who’ve had strokes because most patients are elderly. Saying that, they have really invested in my ideas and I would like to think I have become role model for young patients. I get frustrated with people who are so down after a stroke. It is fine for a couple of months but when you are in your 20s or 30s you need some get up and go. Get on with it! People need tough love. You have not died so make the most of what you have!”

Becky began to talk about the challenges of having a stroke so young. “They don’t get that I am disabled. I can’t stand around for ages. If you knock me, I will go flying. When we park in a disabled area we get dirty looks. I think it is because I try not to act like I have a problem. You can’t stop your life! We used to go out every week but we can’t go out as much now.

“I get more drunk now because of the medication and because I don’t go out as often. I can’t wear high heels or go on the dance floor so I will dance in a booth with my friends.”

Despite her inspirational stand, some Twitter trolls have targeted Becky’s Twitter profile. “Luckily, I haven’t had too many experiences but I have some messages. I don’t keep quiet about it. A few months ago someone sent me a message saying “Happy dribbles.” That was from an old couple in their 30s! I am made of strong stuff and Twitter trolls are cowards, I have no problem in retweeting what they say.”

When speaking to Becky, it was often hard to remember how ill she had been. Her stirring work has made her an important voice in her continuing recovery.

“The doctors said there is a really good chance of getting better. However, there is no timeframe; everything with a stroke is slow.”

If you want to know more about Becky and her work with the Stroke Association then follow her on Twitter, at @Beckybeau8. You can also check out her insightful blog at luckygirlbec.blogspot.co.uk.