Young stroke survivor takes on Stroke Association’s Resolution Run in Dundee

Mollie Docherty, is taking on the Stroke Association’s Resolution 5k Run on Sunday 25 February 2018 in Dundee.

She is doing this following a massive stroke she had in June last year and is raising funds for the Stroke Association.

Mollie, 24, from Dundee was a fit and healthy woman, who swam at least once a week and went kickboxing twice a week. Until she had a stroke completely out of the blue. Like most girls that age, Mollie enjoyed socialising with friends and the night before her stroke, Mollie had her friends round for tea. She describes the next morning as a ‘light switch’ moment. She woke up feeling fine, then in an instant, without warning, found herself unable to walk or talk properly. She managed to ring her neighbour who came round, found Mollie on the floor and called for an ambulance.

Fortunately, Mollie was able to receive a clot bosting drug because she got to hospital FAST. Mollie’s speech came back quite quickly, but the ability to walk again has taken weeks of rehabilitation.

Coming home from hospital was tough - without the support of hospital staff 24-7. Mollie knew she had to work hard to get her independence back.

“When it first happened, my attention was to get back on my feet that the emotional impact of the stroke was secondary in terms of my focus. However, I was very emotional for at least two months after my stroke and have been up and down since.

“You receive lots of visitors in hospital, but as soon as you leave hospital, you are very much on your own and it is a lonely place to be. I have felt anger, resentment towards family and friends, a feeling that no-one cares, but thankfully things are changing.”

That is when Mollie met her Physiotherapist and they discussed getting back to running as one of her goals.

Mollie has practised and practised her exercises and she now feels ready for the Run. Her friends think it is great and at least a dozen of them are joining her in the run to raise stroke awareness and to raise funds for the charity.

Mollie says: "People don't realise the impact of a stroke. You can feel very alone. Fortunately, my passion for sport is returning, because I really believe I can do it.
I’m looking forward to the Resolution Run, proving to myself that I am back to a life after stroke.”

“I want people to be aware that strokes do not just affect people physically. There are also hidden effects such as problems with emotions and fatigue and the emotionally side can sometimes be more challenging.”

Angela Macleod, Communications Manager at the Stroke Association said:

“Mollie has dealt with her challenges admirably and is a great role model for people who have had a stroke. With around 120,000 people across Scotland living with the devastating impact of stroke, it is vital that we have people like Mollie at our Resolution Run helping to raise funds and help us conquer stroke. The money raised will fund vital research and support for stroke survivors, as well as help to prevent people from having a Stroke.”

The Stroke Association’s Dundee Resolution Run 2018 takes place on Sunday 25 February.

To sign up to Stroke Association’s Resolution Run

Visit http://www.stroke.org.uk/resolution, or email resolution@stroke.org.uk

For press enquiries contact Angie Macleod on 0131 555 7244 or email: Angela.Macleod@stroke.org.uk