​13 year old stroke survivor wins national courage award

A 13 year-old from Stockton on Tees has won a national Life After Stroke Award. Emily Simpson was presented with the Children and Young People’s Courage Award by Jermaine Jackman and Tallia Storm at a star-studded ceremony at the Rosewood Hotel in London on 25 June 2015.

Emily was only 10 years old when she had a stroke in July 2012. She collapsed and was rushed to North Tees Hospital where she had an MRI scan. It revealed Emily’s symptoms were caused by a stroke and she was rushed to the Great North Children’s hospital.

Another MRI revealed her brain was swelling, caused by another stroke. Emily needed an emergency operation to remove part of her skull to relieve the pressure. At one point, her parents where told she might not survive.

Emily’s mum, Carolyn, said: “It was such a shock when the consultant told me about Emily’s stroke. My heart dropped to my stomach. I couldn’t believe it as she was so young and healthy. The night they operated was the worst night of my life. Eventually we were told the surgery had been a success. I went to see Emily and she looked so helpless. My beautiful daughter was surrounded by machines and wires.”

After the operation, Emily had to wear a protective helmet for eight months. She had to return to hospital for another operation to replace a piece of her skull. Emily also needed six months of chemotherapy to get her over-active immune system under control.

The stroke left Emily with aphasia –a condition affecting a person’s speech. She also lost the use of her right side and has undergone intensive physiotherapy and speech therapy.

Now Emily attends Bishopsgarth School in Stockton and is making slow, but steady progress. She can now walk with the aid of a splint and is learning to write with her left hand.

She has also learned how to swim, using only her arm and leg, while snorkelling on holiday and is training to do the 4k Mini Great North Run in September 2015 with her friend Katy.

Carolyn added: “Emily’s recovery has been slow, but she has an irrepressible determination to get on with life. She just lights up every room she is in and wants to be a model and an inspiration for other people with disabilities. I’m so proud of her. Emily has been through so much, but she keeps smiling through it all.”

Jon Barrick, Chief Executive of the Stroke Association said: “It’s an honour to recognise someone as extraordinary as Emily. She’s been through more in her young life than many of us will ever have to and is using her experience of stroke to help others. Emily is truly remarkable and is a very worthy winner of this award.”

The Children and Young People’s Courage Award category, sponsored by Chupa Chups Airheads, honours a bright, cheerful and unique child or young person who has survived a stroke. The Stroke Association’s Life After Stroke Awards, sponsored by TONI&GUY Charitable Foundation, 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.