Nisha’s Story – Haemhorrhagic Stroke at 31
- Greg Hollingworth
Life Before My Stroke
Before my stroke, I had a good job in administration for an aviation company, a busy social life, and, like most people, I never thought something like this could happen to me. At 31, I was independent and looking forward to becoming a mother. I had no idea how much my life was about to change.
The Stroke That Changed Everything
I was pregnant when I had my stroke. Looking back, I had warning signs—strange symptoms I didn’t understand—but I didn’t think much of them at the time. Then, suddenly, a vein in my brain burst. I collapsed at home, unable to move – very faint and vomited. I was rushed to the hospital, where I fell into a coma for five days.
When I woke up, I couldn’t walk, talk, or see properly. My body didn’t feel like my own. I couldn’t communicate, and I had no idea what was happening to me. The independence I had always taken for granted was gone. It was terrifying.
Facing Recovery Alone
As if the stroke wasn’t enough, my partner left me during my recovery. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever been through—losing not just my health but also the person I thought would stand by me. But in the end, I realised that his leaving was a blessing in disguise. I needed people around me who truly cared, who saw my strength rather than my struggles.
It took me two years to regain some of my abilities, but even now, I still face challenges. I lost vision in the centre of my right eye, my speech was affected, and I have to write things down to help with my memory. But through all of it, I have learned the importance of patience, resilience, and perhaps most importantly self-love.
Finding Strength Through My Daughter
The one thing that kept me going was my daughter, Imaan. She was born after my stroke, and she changed everything for me. I knew I had to be strong for her. She needed me, and I refused to let my stroke define what kind of mother I would be.
Looking at her, I realised I couldn’t just focus on my own recovery—I wanted to help others too. That’s what led me to Different Strokes. I came across them while looking for support and found a community of young stroke survivors who understood exactly what I was going through. Knowing I wasn’t alone made all the difference.
Raising Awareness in Asian Communities
One of the biggest things I’ve learned since my stroke is how little awareness there is about stroke risk in Black and Asian communities. Many of us don’t realise that we’re at higher risk due to factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, and genetics. I didn’t know this before my stroke, and I wish I had.
That’s why I’m now using my experience to raise awareness. I want people in my community to recognise the warning signs, push for better healthcare, and know that they’re not alone. If my story can help even one person get the help they need sooner, then sharing it is worth it. I wasn’t actually even aware until I decided to share my story if perhaps my stroke might have been caused by a PFO (a hole in the heart) which could have contributed to the stroke – and it makes sense to check this out to try to do whatever I can do to prevent me from ever having another stroke!
Moving Forward
Having a stroke was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through, but in many ways, it made me stronger. My daughter is my biggest motivation, and thanks to Different Strokes, I’ve found a way to turn my experience into something positive.
My journey isn’t over, and I know there will always be challenges. I’m so grateful for the support I’ve received, and I know I wouldn’t have had the recovery I’ve had without it. But I also know that I am more than my stroke. To anyone else going through this: you are not alone. Recovery is possible, support is out there, and life after stroke is still worth living.
Your donation helps others like Nisha on their journeys
There are 100,000 strokes in the UK each year with 1 in 4 happening to somebody of working age or younger. Different Strokes aims to promote independent stroke recovery and help these younger stroke survivors reclaim their lives.
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