Ambassador - Brooke Parsons

Ambassador - Brooke Parsons

In April 1993 I was home alone when I had a stroke. When my parents came home they took me to the hospital to learn what laid ahead for all of us, a lot of rehabilitation and hospitalisation. The stroke has left me with permanent brain damage but over the years I have done and achieved so much to be the person I am today. I have also had multiple operations to correct deformities on my right side. I remember that after my fourth operation, I cried openly, the kind of tears that made people intensely uncomfortable, often chilled or moved.

At times the world has seemed to be sour like a musical note that is flat when a crescendo was expected.  Throughout my ordeal I have managed to keep a  positive outlook, however, at times there has been a little girl crying out of help asking, "Why me?". For a split second I doubted I would ever be an independent person again, but I found you can. I am.

Since my stroke I have come into contact with so many people and all of them have been a wonderful support to me. A stroke could be viewed as a negative thing, but my stroke wasn't negative I am such a strong person because of it. I have now had trials and have lived life not having everything I wanted because of this I am a lot more patient and a happier person.

My family, friends and dog, Harley have played a vital role the whole way. They have helped me to stay so positive and have enjoyed some special times with me. They have all shared every emotion possible with me, joy, happiness, tears, anger, frustration and laughs. Having a stroke hasn't been easier on anyone, we have all been effected by it but together we have proven just how much fun life can be.

Returning to study after a stroke was difficult, people were too nice to me, I just wanted to get my life back to the way it was. The thing that made returning to study easier was that people knew just how determined I was and how I wanted to be treated the same as anyone else. I really appreciated getting back to normal this way although I sometimes found it frustrating when I forgot I could no longer use both hands equally. Now I am at university.

I have achieved more than I could dream of over the last 11 years. I can now walk, talk, dress myself, feed myself and be the independent person I am today. I have been paragliding and to Japan. I have achieved my VCE and I am now at uni studying to be a social worker. I have been a scholarship winner, I have become a life member to the local musical band, and I am in a novel by Neil Mitchall called, Second Chances. I have been runner up in the Young Australian of the Year 2001 (Community Service Category). I have participated in the Young Achievement Australia Program. I am also an Ambassador for the National Stroke Foundation and I am a volunteer leader in the Starlight Children's Foundation.

I could have quiet easily have listened to the doctors when I first had my stroke but I decided I was going to prove them wrong as they did not know me, they didn't know just how determined I would be.