Worcestershire resident will put in the strides for the Stroke Association

Vicky Hill, 37, from Eckington is taking on the Stroke Association’s Stride for Stroke challenge as she looks to walk 10,000 steps a day for 120 days.

Vicky will look to walk 1.2 million steps, which is one step for every stroke survivor in the UK, after her partner Julian, 50, had a stroke that left him unable to move, swallow or even see from one eye. Such was the extent of his stroke that doctors didn’t initially know if Julian would survive.

Julian, “a fit and very active man”, was at the gym when he rolled off the bench he was using, knowing something was seriously wrong. Staff and all those around him became concerned and phoned Vicky and an ambulance. On arriving at hospital, doctors confirmed the stroke was caused by a clot and Julian was unable to speak or move his right side while he had also lost vision in his right eye.

Due to the speed of Julian’s arrival at hospital, doctors were able to perform a Thrombectomy to remove the clot but at first they were not even sure he would survive.

Vicky said: “Looking back on that day we were so fortunate to be in the region we were and to have a surgeon on hand who could do the procedure - things moved so fast. We don’t like using the word lucky but things could have been much worse. Within a week, Julian was eating again and he had regained his full sight. Within two weeks he was up and moving again – I was amazed!”

Julian would spend five weeks in hospital and started physiotherapy before being allowed home. While he still has limited movement and his speech is restricted, Vicky is very proud of the progress Julian has made, even if he can’t always see it himself.

Vicky said: “I think he (Julian) has done incredibly well so far. Our world was turned upside down when it first happened but seeing the progress he has made, I am so proud. It’s not easy and sometimes he feels like giving up with the exercises and the speech therapy but I’ve kept a diary for him so he can see the incredible progress he’s made – this spurs both of us on.”

Vicky is now taking part in the Stroke Association’s Stride for Stroke campaign, aiming to walk 1.2 million steps over 120 days and raising money for stroke survivors like Julian.

Vicky said: “We’ve seen first hand how much of a struggle stroke recovery can be, especially at a time like this. It’s not easy getting speech and language therapists and occupational therapy, so any money I can raise for the charity will hopefully help. My employer Santander will match my fundraising too!

Joanna McGuinness, Head of Regional Fundraising at the Stroke Association said: “We know how tough life has been recently. This is especially true for the 1.2 million stroke survivors living in the UK right now. While we aren’t able to meet up as we would like, Vicky is still doing something amazing and walking 1.2 million steps, that’s one step for every stroke survivor, over the next 120 days.

“Whether you take on this challenge as a stroke survivor, in memory of a loved one, in support of someone affected by stroke or you just want to help raise crucial funds to rebuild lives after stroke - we are so incredibly grateful.

“A stroke can happen to anyone at any time and it turns lives upside down. However, with the support of people like Vicky and Julian, we can help more stroke survivors and their families as they look to rebuild their lives.”

Julian and Vicky are also due to get married in April this year, which is another goal the couple have set for his recovery.

Vicky said: “As long as he can say I do, then I’ll be happy.”

For more information and to sign up to this year’s Stride for Stroke, visit https://www.stroke.org.uk/webform/stride-for-stroke

To sponsor Vicky please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Vicky-Hill6

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For more information contact Ken Scott, PR Officer at the Stroke Association, on 0115 7788429 or ken.scott@stroke.org.uk