Isle of Wight resident, who survived stroke as a baby, wins national Life After Stroke Award

Dawn Minker, 67, from the Isle of Wight has been presented with a Life After Stroke Courage Award by Rudolph Walker, Shobna Gulati and Sally Lindsay on behalf of the Stroke Association at a star-studded ceremony at the Dorchester hotel in London on 1 November 2017.

Dawn had a stroke when she was a baby, which partially paralysed her tongue and caused difficulties with her speech and language. Thinking she would not be able to understand what had happened to her, her family decided not to tell her about her stroke

Dawn’s childhood was dominated by tests and treatments that took her away from her family. At the age of seven, she was sent to Guys Hospital in London where she spent four weeks as an inpatient on her own as her parents were unable to stay with her. She continued to undergo a number of operations and medical tests which lasted until she was a teenager.

Aged 8, Dawn was sent to a residential special needs school because of her difficulties learning to speak. She loved helping her fellow pupils, but she struggled to understand why she had been sent away from her family. Only 17 years ago, after the death of both her parents, she found out the truth about her stroke. Dawn said that although she was shocked, she finally understood what had happened to her.

She said: “Back then, it was unheard of for babies and children to have strokes, and it was certianly not talked about. I like to think that if this happened now, hopefully the person would have a completely different journey. I spent too many years thinking that my mum didn’t want me, as no one explained what had happened.”

Dawn’s experiences have made her determined to move on and help improve the lives of others. Dawn worked for 8 years operating machinery in a laundry, and started to volunteer for local charity shops in her spare time.

Dawn enjoyed helping others so much that when she met her husband Trevor in 1981 they started volunteering together. Now both retired, they are full-time volunteers, hosting communication workshops and giving support to local people with severe communication difficulties. They also attend stroke cafes across the island and arrange social meet-ups for stroke survivors and carers.

Dawn said: “I was honoured when I found out I was nominated for this award, I still cannot quite believe I have won. Winning is a huge honour, but I do what I do because I love it. I would like this award to show people that there is help out there. If you, or someone you know, has difficulty speaking, there is support available. No-one should have to struggle alone.”

Juliet Bouverie Chief Executive of the Stroke Association said: “There are still too many people who do not know that a stroke can happen at any age, even to babies and children, and the effects can stay with you for life.Around one in three stroke survivors has difficulty speaking and understanding, leaving them feeling lost for words. This can be terrifying and isolating.Despite Dawn’s traumatic circumstances, her strength of spirit, her positivity and her determination to support others have shone through.”

The Life After Stroke Awards celebrate the achievements of unsung heroes who are helping to conquer stroke. To find out more, visit www.stroke.org.uk/lasa