Press release -
Teenage stroke survivor receives regional recognition
A teenage stroke survivor from South Shields has received a Highly Commended Life After Stroke Award from the Stroke Association, in recognition of his courage throughout his recovery.
Andrew Leather was almost 16 when he awoke one night in November 2013 and found himself paralysed from the neck down all of his left side. After being taken to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Andrew was diagnosed with a stroke. He had had a bleed on the brain, caused by an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) which is a tangle of abnormal blood vessels.
After an operation to prevent further bleeds, Andrew spent 14 weeks in hospital while he underwent intensive rehabilitation. Throughout his time in hospital, his family, friends and girlfriend visited regularly. He continued with school lessons while in hospital ahead of his GCSE exams, which he sat in June and attained high grades.
Andrew left the ward needing a wheelchair but managed to walk 20 yards, leaving hospital staff in tears. Three years on, Andrew is now walking normally with the aid of an orthotic splint and has started a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Sunderland.
Andrew’s grandmother Mary Leather nominated him for the Young Person’s Courage Award in the charity’s Life After Stroke Awards. Mary said: “As a family, we are all so proud of Andrew; of the courage he has shown and the adult he has become. He is our hero!”
During his recovery, Andrew’s mother and father put their working lives on hold while they cared for him. His dad accepted voluntary redundancy to become his full-time carer at home.
His father Tony added: “We’ve taken the positives from what Andrew has been through and it’s made us all appreciate each other even more. We were overwhelmed at the support we had from family and friends. They definitely had a positive effect on Andrew’s recovery. He had to re-learn how to walk again and the way he has overcome this adversity is truly inspirational.”
Andrew received is Highly Commended certificate at a celebratory event at the Marriott Hotel, MetroCentre in Gateshead on Wednesday 07 December.
Peter Moore, Regional Director for the Stroke Association in the North East, added: “A stroke happens in an instant and often changes lives forever. We were thrilled that so many of our community in the North East were nominated to receive a Life After Stroke Award. Our regional event highlights the tremendous courage local people like Andrew have shown in rebuilding their lives after a stroke, or in helping others to do the same.”
The Stroke Association’s Life After Stroke Awards recognise the courage shown by stroke survivors and carers as well as the great work and commitment shown by health professionals, groups and supporter organisations. For more information visit www.stroke.org.uk/LASA
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A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. There are around 152,000 strokes in the UK every year and it is one of the largest causes of disability. There are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke.
Stroke Association is a charity. We believe in life after stroke and together we can conquer stroke. We work directly with stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals and with scientists and researchers. We campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best recovery they can. We fund research to develop new treatments and ways of preventing stroke. The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) provides information and support on stroke. More information can be found at www.stroke.org.uk
