Joanne Leeds

Joanne Leeds shares her story

On April 13, 2005 my husband Stephen had a stroke at 33. Like most people we thought only older people had strokes. It was a shock to learn that 40 per cent of strokes happen to people under the age of 65.

Thankfully my husband made a full recovery and everyday I say to Stephen, “Thank God you’re still here.” So I wanted to make a difference and highlight the fact that stroke doesn’t just happen to older people. Last year I organised the Thank God You’re Still Here Charity Ball and raised over $130,000 to help stop stroke.

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Wilma's story

I was 30 years old when my second child was due. Back then there weren’t any ultrasound machines and so when twins arrived it really was a surprise! My husband and I were indeed blessed to have the addition of the twins but just hours after giving birth I suffered a major stroke and the impact was so devastating.

Imagine having just given birth to precious twins and not being able to see or hold them for six weeks. For six months I was in rehabilitation learning how to walk and talk again. I remember one day I thought I saw my foot move. I sat there waiting for it to
happen again before I told my husband. I never regained the use of my right arm though – lucky for me I am left-handed!

I finally made it home and had to learn how to look after my children without my right arm. It was literally hanging at my side and useless. I attribute part of my recovery to my positive nature.

It seems that I wasn’t the only mother to have suffered a stroke at an early age.

Glenn's story 

My name is Glenn and I am a single father of two boys – I lost my wife to a stroke. I still remember the day Maria had her stroke. it was four days before her 40th birthday. The day before she should have been celebrating her birthday – we held a funeral.

Here we are five years on from her tragic death and I can’t believe how quickly time goes by. I’m busy bringing up my two young boys and trying to make sure that we get to school and work on time, I often don’t get a moment to myself to reflect. When I do - I still feel angry and frustrated that a stroke took her away.