​Sale woman left with Scouse accent after a stroke tackles Resolution Run

A mother of two from Sale, who found herself speaking with a Liverpool accent after a stroke, is taking on the Stroke Association’s Resolution Run on Sunday 05 March at Heaton Park.

Tracy Lloyd, 53, had a stroke in December 2014 caused by a blood clot, while having an operation on her knee. When she woke up she had a headache and pain in her eye, as well as pins and needles in her arm, which were put down to the effects of her anaesthetic.

It wasn’t until Tracy got home that her face dropped on one side, and her daughter recognised she was having a stroke after seeing the FAST adverts on television. After being rushed back to hospital, a CT scan showed that Tracy had had a stroke following her operation. Initially Tracy couldn’t speak as a result of her stroke, but after four days her speech returned, albeit in a completely different accent.

Tracy said: “No one was more shocked than I was when I started speaking like a Liverpudlian! Now I always get asked where I’m from in Liverpool and no one can believe me when I tell them I’m from Manchester. When I visited the stroke consultant to ask how it had happened, he advised that my brain had to take a different direction to enable me to speak again. I’ve always loved Liverpool and the accent, and have lots of Scouse friends, and I think that’s why my brain mimicked this particular accent. My consultant said I must be very passionate about Liverpool.

“I was advised my accent could change back to my original Mancunian after six months, but after that it would stick. It’s now been two years and we’re all used to it. As long as I can speak, my regional accent really doesn’t matter!”

Now Tracy is planning to take on the Stroke Association’s 5km Resolution Run in Heaton Park on Sunday 05 March. As a volunteer for the Stroke Association’s local Life After Stroke Service in Trafford, she’ll be joined by the charity’s co-ordinator Lorraine Longmore on the day.

Tracy added: “I’ve also been left with weakness in my left side as a result of my stroke so it may take me a while to complete the course, but I’m really looking forward to taking part. My family and friends are all sponsoring me as I’m keen to raise funds to help others affected by stroke to get the support they need.”

Sian Thomas, Community and Events Fundraiser at the Stroke Association, said: “With around 1.2 million people across the UK living with the devastating impact of stroke it is vital that we have people like our Resolution Runners to raise funds and help us conquer stroke. We’re thrilled Tracy is taking part. We’re looking forward to cheering her on alongside our other participants as she makes her way through the park.

Entry fee is just £15 and runners can choose the 5km, 10km or 15km course. All runners receive a technical running t-shirt and medal. For more information about entering or volunteering at the Resolution Run, visit www.stroke.org.uk/resolution, email resolution@stroke.org.uk or call 0300 330 0740.