Helen told “You’re just hungover” when it was a stroke. Now she will put in the strides to raise awareness for the Stroke Association

Helen Mullins, 41, from Nottingham, is taking on the Stroke Association’s Stride for Stroke challenge after doctors initially dismissed her stroke as a hangover, despite the fact she hadn’t been drinking.

While the challenge’s suggested 1.3 million steps isn’t possible right now, Helen will aim to walk 2022 steps and raise at least £2022 for the charity in 2022.

Mother of five Helen, was at work late when she noticed numbness and a lack of movement in her left arm in August 2020. She woke up the next day with an excruciating pain in her head and a lack of movement in her left side. After phoning 999, paramedics said Helen just had a migraine and told her to take strong painkillers.

However, later that day with Helen getting worse and now struggling to walk, another ambulance took her to QMC. Incredibly though when she attended A and E for tests, doctors said Helen was “obviously hungover and acting drunk”.

Helen said: “The second time I went to hospital, I couldn’t walk properly, my left leg was completely numb. I knew something was very wrong but I was told that I was acting drunk and was obviously just hungover! I’d been at work the night before until very late so I hadn’t been drinking at all. I was just told I needed rest and rehydration.”

Despite her protests, Helen returned home but was back in hospital the next day where doctor’s finally discovered Helen had had a stroke caused by a blood clot and they would have to operate straight away.

Helen said: “They had to operate to remove part of my skull as the pressure on my brain was too much. The next thing I knew, I woke up in hospital with what felt like a fuzzy TV in my head.”

Helen went on to spend three months in hospital. While she initially lost her speech, which thankfully came back very quickly, she was also being fed through a tube and had intense physio and occupational therapy to help her movement.

Helen said: “I was allowed to come home in November 2020 and had carers until the following July. I can walk more now,only with a frame, but I’ve partially lost vision in my left eye and my left arm is still no good.”

Despite everything, Helen is now able to walk aided round the block and recently managed to walk over 2,000 steps. Now she wants to raise awareness that strokes can happen to anyone, young or old, by taking part in her own Stride for Stroke challenge.

Helen said: “I joke with my sister that I feel like Captain Tom walking around with a frame. I’ve been able to walk a couple of thousand steps now, that’s why I wanted to do this challenge for the Stroke Association. I’ll be walking 2022 steps and I want to raise £2022 at least too. I’ve lost so much since my stroke but in sharing my story on my ‘Helen’s road to recovery’ page, I’ve had amazing support and been able to provide support to others too”.

Lucy Burnip, Relationship Fundraising Manager at the Stroke Association, said: “It’s a new year, so it’s the perfect time to set yourself a new challenge and put in the strides for stroke survivors across the UK. We’re so pleased to see that Helen is doing something amazing taking on her own challenge during Stride for Stroke.

“Whether you take on this challenge as a stroke survivor, in memory of a loved one, in support of someone affected by stroke or you just want to help raise crucial funds to rebuild lives after stroke - we are so incredibly grateful.

“Stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK and it changes lives in an instant.

However, with the support of people like Helen we can help more stroke survivors and their families to rebuild their lives.”

You can follow Helens journey on Facebook

If you’re looking to stay active in 2022, why not take on the Stride for Stroke challenge? Sign up today at www.stroke.org.uk/stride

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For more information contact Ken Scott, PR Officer at ken.scott@sroke.org.uk or 0115 7788429

About the Stroke Association

• Stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK and it changes lives in an instant.
• The Stroke Association is a charity working across the UK to support people to rebuild their lives after stroke. We believe that everyone deserves to live the best life they can after stroke. From local support services and groups, to online information and support, anyone affected by stroke can visit stroke.org.uk or call our dedicated Stroke Helpline on 0303 3033 100 to find out about support available locally.
• Our specialist support, research and campaigning are only possible with the courage and determination of the stroke community and the generosity of our supporters. With more donations and support, we can help rebuild even more lives.
• · You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn