Young mum gets herself out of the house for Stroke Awareness Month

Natalie Mccreadie, aged 31, from Glasgow, has been taking a break from busy family life, to go on long walks during May. Her target is to walk 60 miles over the month to mark Stroke Awareness Month, raising funds for the Stroke Association.

Her reason for doing so is very personal, based on her recent experience of stroke. Last July, her six-year-old son, Kylan, had a stroke. After noticing some dizzy spells, strange limb movements and eventually a fall, Natalie took Kylan to the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Glasgow, where the doctors noticed Kylan had problems with his reflexes and had a slight drooping of his mouth. After two brain scans, an MRI and further tests, Kylan was diagnosed with having had a stroke, having already had a previous stroke unknown to his parents. This was devastating news for the family, but as Kylan seemed well enough and happy enough to continue life as it was, they did. Natalie said:
“We did notice changes after Kylan’s stroke. Where he used to be very independent in dressing himself, and getting ready to go out, he is more challenged. Doing up buttons and zips and putting on a pair of socks isn’t straightforward, and he does ask for help. He was incredibly frustrated at first, especially noticing his three-year-old brother doing things which he couldn’t.

Due to the stroke, Kylan was diagnosed with dystonia, a movement disorder. Natalie said: “It affects the way he walks because his muscles work in a different way. Thankfully, he’s on medication for that, which lessens the symptoms.

Natalie continued: “Other than his mobility difficulties and hand dexterity, life for Kylan seems to be the same as the rest of his friends. He is doing well at school, playing football with his friends, and most importantly he is happy. He is starting to notice that he is a bit different to the other boys, but he doesn’t let that hold him back he finds his own way to do things.

Natalie thought it would be good to get herself outdoors, be healthy, and do something worthwhile for a charity whose work is close to her heart. She said:

“Awareness of stroke is low. The only understanding of stroke I had previously was in adults, having them later in life. I certainly didn’t think children with no previous medical conditions could have strokes. But they do.”

Andrea Watt, Relationship Fundraiser in Scotland said:

“By doing this walk for stroke, and for the Stroke Association, Natalie has turned a very shocking experience into a positive one. We are thrilled with what Natalie has raised so far, thank you. The funds Natalie raises, will be used to fund research into the prevention, and treatment of stroke, to raise awareness and support people affected by stroke and their families.”