Stroke Association brings childhood stroke support day to Bristol

The Stroke Association is holding their next childhood stroke support day at Bristol Aquarium on Saturday 28 April 2018.

There are over 400 childhood strokes a year in the UK. Three quarters of these are in children aged under 10. The Stroke Association’s Parent Childhood Stroke Support and Information Day offers parents and carers of children affected by stroke, the chance to meet others in a similar situation and access information and resources offered by the charity.

One family who have been supported by the Stroke Association’s Childhood Stroke Project are the Wilsons from Filton, in Bristol. Their daughter, Ella, was just seven years old when she had a stroke at an after school club in 2016.

Ella’s mother, Catherine said: “Before this happened, we had absolutely no idea that a child could have a stroke, it was very much a shock. At first we didn’t know who to turn to for help, but the Stroke Association supported and guided us through some of the most difficult days we’ve had as a family.

“I’ll never forget the day I picked up the phone and Ella’s teacher told me to get to the after school club immediately as my daughter was very ill. I knew from the tone of her voice that this was really serious.

“Ella was taken to the hospital, and even though she was showing typical stroke symptoms, it wasn't diagnosed straight away as being a stroke. I think originally they felt that because she'd recovered quite well within a few days it was more likely to be a type of meningitis, and when this was eventually ruled out, we were given an unconfirmed diagnosis of epilepsy. About a week later though, Ella was brought back into hospital for an MRI scan, and that's when they realised that she'd had a stroke.

“Looking back, maybe if we'd known that this is something that can happen to children, she may have been diagnosed quicker.

“A few months after the stroke, Ella was very depressed, anxious and in a lot of discomfort with the headaches in particular. Because childhood stroke is rare compared to stroke in adults, we felt quite isolated initially because there is nobody around us with a similar experience.

“Last year we attended the Stroke Association’s childhood stroke support day, and we found it to be incredibly useful. It gave us the opportunity to meet other parents and healthcare professionals, and to hear more about the future of childhood stroke diagnosis and rehabilitation. We’ll be going again this year and we really do urge other parents with children who have had a stroke to join us. It’s such a fantastic opportunity to meet other people and realise that you’re not alone. The Stroke Association have been an absolute lifeline for us all.”

Anna Panton, Childhood Stroke Project Manager at the Stroke Association said: “Many people think strokes only happen to older people, so a stroke in a baby or child can come as a big shock.

“Childhood stroke can affect the whole family. Parents often feel a range of emotions, from shock and bewilderment to feelings of isolation and frustration. Families often don’t know where to turn for information and support following their child’s stroke. We hope that this event will go a long way in changing that.”

The Childhood Stroke Project is a collaboration between the Stroke Association and Evelina London Children's Hospital.

The Stroke Association’s Childhood Stroke Parent Support and Information Day will take place on Saturday 28 April 2018, at Bristol Aquarium between 10am and 4pm. For more information and to book your free place, please visit: www.stroke.org.uk/childhoodevents. Please note the event is for parents/carers only, and you need to register in advance.