Finn's story

On Valentines Day 2025, I endured a stroke that happened instantly overnight. The morning after, I could not move my left side or stand up. The world spun as I tried to walk to the toilet without falling over.

I knew something was wrong.

I was in this state for 12 hours. I was in denial, and I did not want to believe I suffered a stroke. My knowledge of strokes at the time was very limited. I thought old people suffered strokes. Me being 25, and enduring a stroke, has changed my mind set about health and the importance of it. It also changed my outlook about the uncertainty of life, and the challenges life can throw at you.

I've personally come to appreciate the smaller things from day to day, and to take things slow and give myself grace. Throughout my medical journey, I've personally developed bonds with my support team and live every day like it's my last.

Luckily, I'm a very resilient individual. In medical cases like a stroke, it can affect people differently depending on the severity of the clot and which part of the brain is affected. In terms of rehab, on my left side. Hope and mindfulness gave me the persistence to keep on going.

My stroke impacted my family emotionally. They've been supportive from the very start. They've come to realise that health and well-being is a fundamental thing in our lives. Also, that recovery is the most important thing in our lives. They've made some life-changing decisions such as Dad moving to a 4day week and moving to a more central home to continue supporting my recovery and make life a bit easier.

In terms of the repercussions of the stroke, I've developed epilepsy that is thankfully controlled by medication. The major downside to having a neurological disability is the fatigue that comes with it. That's when mindfulness and being present in the moment comes into play.

I've had to come to terms that my life is on hold right now. And everyday things like walking to the toilet and talking will take a lot out of me. It's all about acknowledging what your limits are. Like I said earlier, everyone is impacted differently.

But rest is the utter most important thing in terms of recovery. I've learnt, through rehabilitation and testing the waters, of what I'm capable of.