Stroke inspires Suffolk family to tackle Lowestoft Scores Race for Stroke

After Lily Dewbery had a devastating stroke aged just 4 years old, the Dewbery family from Suffolk is proving there is definitely life after stroke. Two years on, Lily along with her older brother Max (8), will run a small race, whilst their mum Amanda tackles the Lowestoft Scores Race, on Sunday 14 September in aid of the Stroke Association.

In May 2012 Lily had three mini-strokes (also known as a TIA or transient ischaemic attack) in the week leading up to a major stroke she had through the night. Lily woke up in the morning with numbness in her left side, and her face was drooped. When Lily’s parents Amanda and Justin Dewbery went to her room, they recognised that something was terribly wrong, and knew that their daughter needed help fast.

Childhood stroke affects around five out of every 100,000 children a year in the UK.  Anna Panton, Child 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. Families often don’t know where to turn for support.  In fact, around 400 childhood strokes occur in the UK each year – that’s more than one a day. We created a Child Stroke Support Service to be there for children like Lily, and her family. The service is part of the Child Stroke Project being run in collaboration with Evelina London Children's Hospital, funded by ICAP Charity Day. We can provide information, advice and support for children, young people and families affected by stroke in childhood.”

Amanda adds: “Lily’s stroke had a huge impact on our family. As a parent it was terrifying, we knew what a stroke looked like from the TV adverts, but we couldn’t comprehend that our 4 year old daughter was having one. Thankfully we had an amazing people who helped Lily in her recovery. Lily has gone above and beyond in her recovery; she is always fully committed to her physiotherapy and as a family we have put 100% commitment into helping Lily keep her arm and leg moving, using every possible opportunity, all day every day. So much so that Lily’s recovery has amazed medical staff that we see, which goes to show that putting in the hard work really does pay off! Lily is truly inspirational; her positive personality has helped the whole family through this traumatic time.”

The stroke affected Lily’s movement in the left hand side of her body; she now takes medication daily and does physiotherapy exercise everyday, and just two years on, Lily has made a remarkable recovery.

Lily’s mum, Amanda said: “Lily has just received her first course of botox injections at Great Ormond Street Hospital to try and help her gain more control over her thumb and her foot. Since Lily was first admitted to hospital she has a huge needle phobia, so these injections were a big thing for Lily but she was absolutely brilliant. The injections involved 4 trips down to London altogether, so we ensured we did something fun each time in order to make it enjoyable for Lily.”

Amanda signed up to the race which tackles over 4.75 miles and 400 steps to help raise awareness of childhood stroke. Amanda adds: “I wanted to do something to help the Stroke Association be there for other families like ours. When my Stroke Association vest arrived in the post, the team in the East of England also packed a small vest for Lily to wear on the day to cheer me on. But as soon as Lily seen her vest, her face lit up. She was so excited that she asked to take part in the race too! Unfortunately Lily and her brother Max are too young to join, however the organisers didn’t disappoint as they agreed to create a mythical ‘under 8’s race’ for Lily and Max to compete in. They will start off with a whistle blow, and will collect a medal at the end which they are both so excited about. I know it will be challenge on the day, but having the support from the whole family has been so encouraging. We want to raise money for the Stroke Association to achieve something positive from our experience. The charity supports stroke survivors to make their best possible recovery and does so much to raise awareness of this devastating condition.”

The race starts at the High Street in Lowestoft before travelling past the Police Station and onto the sea wall via 'Gulliver'. The course heads all the way along the sea wall to Links Road, then back along Gunton Cliff, down the Ravine, through the Sparrows Nest and up and down Lowestoft's historic Scores before finishing at the Triangle Market.

George Burroughs, Events Manager at the Stroke Association in the East of England, said: “There are around 152,000 strokes a year in the UK – that’s around one every three and a half minutes. We’re so thankful that people like Amanda, Lily and Matt are raising funds to ensure we can be there for more families affected by stroke. Lily is a huge inspiration and we’ll be cheering her on as she sets off on her race.”