Alex Murphy is a pro ice skater, who has appeared on Dancing On Ice in the UK and in the Netherlands. Alex had a stroke 5 years ago whilst performing on a cruise ship aged just 24. Here we sit down and talk recovery, guilt and life after stroke. For more information on [...]

I was taken into the accident and emergency wing of the hospital on 17 March 2015, with a life-threatening subarachnoid haemorrhage.  I was only 38 years old and had always been a healthy person.  I was successful, career-oriented and travelled the world while working too many hours, with no time to relax and think.  Then, [...]

My stroke was in February 2011 on a plane returning from Australia.  It was the middle of the night and I needed the loo so off I went.  When I’d finished I stood up and I had a strange feeling come over me I thought it was just jet lag, but as I walked back [...]

My stroke was on the 16 September 2012; I was 17 and in sixth form at my local school.  I was studying for my A Levels and at the time I wanted to be a veterinary nurse, which was my main interest. Life was pretty ordinary; I went to school in the day, worked in [...]

My name is Joe and I’m a 35 year old stroke survivor from Torquay.  Before my stroke I was fit and healthy and enjoyed going to the gym regularly and my lifestyle was very clean.  I worked hard as a self employed plasterer and life was going well. I had the stroke at home on [...]

I was a fit and healthy 42 year old – a mum to a lively young boy, full time job, good life and really no worries.  On 15 October 2017 I saw my life move to a new level. I went work as normal, with a bit of a head ache that wouldn’t shift and [...]

Fran Denoon survived a stroke aged just 28. This is Fran's survivor story. Different Strokes is run by younger stroke survivors for younger stroke survivors. We have personal experience of the realities of life after stroke. We recognise that the Different Strokes community of younger stroke survivors and family members are the experts [...]

Demi Moore survived a stroke aged just 22. This is Demi's survivor story. Different Strokes is run by younger stroke survivors for younger stroke survivors. We have personal experience of the realities of life after stroke. We recognise that the Different Strokes community of younger stroke survivors and family members are the experts [...]

Beth Boella survived a stroke 8 months ago aged just 23. This is Beth's survivor story. Different Strokes is run by younger stroke survivors for younger stroke survivors. We have personal experience of the realities of life after stroke. We recognise that the Different Strokes community of younger stroke survivors and family members [...]

Belinda Medlock survived a stroke 3 years ago aged just 47. This is Belinda's survivor story. Different Strokes is run by younger stroke survivors for younger stroke survivors. We have personal experience of the realities of life after stroke. We recognise that the Different Strokes community of younger stroke survivors and family members [...]

I survived my stroke at 32.  Before the Stroke I was an energetic mother of two boys and was also in full-time employment as a Business Analyst. A couple of weeks after my birthday in April I started having throbbing headaches constantly, although I took painkillers.  The migraines got stronger and although I was in [...]

I am Anna – a 30 year old who was fit and healthy and worked as a children's nurse. I am outgoing and have a busy lifestyle with my little boy and family. I love to meet up with friends, trying new places and just loved to be on the go! I took my little [...]

I turned 40 and felt fitter and healthier than ever before.  Everything in my life had fallen into place – I was happily married with three amazing children and had a job that I love.  Things were going great until I had the biggest shock of my life. Three weeks after my fortieth birthday, in [...]

My Journey So Far In August 2003 life was great.  I had a good career and loved my work, I had a loving family and many friends.  I had just celebrated my 50th birthday, I was fit and well, busy and full of energy. I collapsed while on my way to work one bright sunny [...]

2013: “I’m excited to have the opportunity to thank Different Strokes for giving me something more useful to do with my time than I thought I’d ever be doing.  Whilst I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to many people who’ve rung the helpline. I’m sure there are many who are unaware of why I volunteered [...]

Before my stroke I was a full time working mum to Charles 19 years and Ed 13 years.  I was out each morning at 7.45am to travel to Leamington Spa, and mum’s taxi for rugby, cricket, football and after school clubs.  Charles was due to start University in September 2010, so we had done the [...]

For me it all started with ear ache or I should say pain in my neck around my ear and sinus pain along with nausea and high blood pressure.  For several weeks I visited my GP surgery. Many doctors missed the signs.  I was diagnosed with an ear infection even though they said they couldn't [...]

In December 2017 I stopped at the post office on the way home from work and as I went to get out of the car I suddenly found myself feeling very dizzy.  I had double vision and also became very hot and felt increasingly sick.  This feeling lasted for around 5 minutes and I somehow [...]

"My name is Ashley, I'm 24 years old and seven years ago whilst on a driving lesson I had a stroke.  I had just turned 17 and was excited to get started with driving, but at the same time I remember getting extremely nervous and stressed before each lesson.  When it happened I was actually driving the [...]

"I was 23 and I had just graduated from University and was looking forward to celebrating throughout the summer. I was at a music festival with a big group of friends, a couple of days in I started to feel ill and  I felt the need to take a nap on one of my friends [...]