Rhondda Stroke survivor supports charity to highlight 'survival is not enough'

A stroke survivor from Pentre, is sharing their story ahead of World Stroke Day, as part of a national campaign to spotlight the fragility of the brain and the life-changing impact a stroke can have on people of all ages.

Ben Sims, 20, from the Rhondda in South Wales, is sharing his story as part of the Stroke Association’s ‘Survival Is Not Enough’ campaign, highlighting why surviving a stroke is only the beginning of recovery.

A drama student at the University of South Wales, Ben was busy with university, football and choir rehearsals when he had a major stroke in April this year (2026) An emergency thrombectomy removed the blood clot blocking blood flow to his brain, saving his life. Doctors told his family that if he had arrived just half an hour later, he might not have survived.

Although the treatment helped his physical recovery, Ben is still dealing with the lasting effects of stroke, including extreme fatigue, memory and concentration problems, speech and swallowing difficulties, and the emotional impact of coming so close to death. Once confident and constantly on the go, he now finds everyday activities and social situations more difficult as he adjusts to a life he never expected.

“You look normal on the outside, but inside you don’t feel the same,” says Ben. “You survive it physically, but mentally it stays with you.”

With support from his family, university and local community, Ben is working to rebuild his confidence and focus on the future. He is also fundraising for the Stroke Association to raise awareness that stroke can affect anyone, at any age.

“Stroke doesn’t care how old you are,” he says.

Ben’s experience highlights the message behind ‘Survival Is Not Enough’: life-saving treatment is vital, but survivors also need understanding, support and help to navigate the physical and emotional challenges that can continue long after they leave hospital.

In the UK, someone has a stroke every five minutes, with 1.4 million people currently living with a brain injury caused by stroke. More than 85,000 people survive a stroke every year, but recovery is only the beginning. Many face a long and gruelling journey adjusting to the trauma and rebuilding their lives, often left without the essential long-term rehabilitation and support they need.

Despite the life-changing impact of stroke, awareness of its severity and the long-term challenges survivors face remains worryingly low amongst the general public.

Although one in four strokes happen to people of working age, nearly a third (28%) of Brits surveyed by the Stroke Association believe they mainly affect people over-65s. While a third of those aged 18-34 (34%) and almost a quarter of 35-44 year olds (24%) believe they’re too young to have one.

The knowledge gap extends to the impact of stroke, with almost a third (32%) unaware that it is a brain injury and nearly one in five (19%) not realising it can cause long-term difficulties with walking, talking, seeing or swallowing. Almost a quarter (22%) underestimate the road to recovery believing it takes just a few months of less.

The Stroke Association’s campaign ‘Survival is Not Enough’ aims to drive awareness of the impact of stroke and support a two-part documentary series commissioned by Channel 4, in partnership with the charity: ‘Trauma: My Broken Brain’. The series follows three young adults, Dan, Saskia and Dec, through the fight of their lives after a life-threatening stroke. ‘Trauma: My Broken Brain’ will be available to stream from Monday 26^thOctober at 10pm on Channel 4.

Juliet Bouverie OBE, CEO of the Stroke Association, said: “A stroke is a devastating brain injury, leaving behind life-changing trauma. In an instant, a stroke can steal away the things that many of us take for granted, such as walking, talking, eating and living independently; the things that make you, you. This new research shows that people still don’t understand a stroke happens in the brain and wrongly believe a stroke only affects older people.

"A stroke isn't only a medical emergency from which you either die or survive, but instead the start of a long and gruelling journey to rebuilding a life. For so many stroke survivors, the fight doesn’t end when their lives are saved, yet every day survivors and their families are left traumatised and without the long-term rehabilitation and support they need. After everything a stroke takes, no-one should have to fight for essential support to recover and live a full life again.”

As part of the campaign, the Stroke Association unveiled a giant brain carved entirely from ice on London’s Southbank, creating a striking spectacle in the heart of the capital. Standing at 2.5 metres tall, the sculpture, which took 150 hours across five days to create, was designed to represent both the complexity and fragility of the human brain.

The ice brain sculpture will be in place at Southbank’s Observation Point on Monday 26^thand Tuesday 27^th October, with members of the public encouraged to stop, view the installation up close and find out more about the impact of stroke through the stroke survivors’ stories.

1.4 million people are living with a brain injury caused by stroke. Help the Stroke Association change what comes next: www.stroke.org.uk/brain

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