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Kieran Mays hasn't added a story.
On January 5, 2011, my grandson Aiden was born, and our family was so happy to have a healthy baby boy; however, the very next day, we were all shocked to find out Aiden was having seizures and ultimately had a stroke. We were all unaware of pediatric strokes and the challenges our family would face since Aiden's birth.
Early in the morning on April 1, 2012, I woke up with a pain in my neck. I thought it was a pinched nerve, but my symptoms rapidly increased -vertigo, nausea, headache, difficulty walking and talking. My quick thinking wife recognized the symptoms of a stroke and gave me a few baby aspirin. I was reluctant at first, but she convinced me to go to the emergency room. Within 15 minutes, I could no longer stand or talk, and the pain in my neck was excruciating. The nurses at the hospital helped me out of the car, and the doctors immediately ordered a CT of my neck and head to determine the extent of my stroke. I was diagnosed with a Vertebral Artery Dissection (VAD) and a very rare stroke called Wallenberg Syndrome. Most strokes are caused by blocked arteries or clots, but my stroke was caused by trauma to my neck...all my other arteries were clear.
Since most people associate stokes with old age or poor health, I would like to make everyone aware that stokes CAN happen to healthy people.
May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and I would like to do my part to spread the word about strokes.
Here are some misconceptions about strokes:
Myth: Stroke is unpreventable
Reality: Stroke is largely preventable
Myth: Stroke cannot be treated
Reality: Stroke requires emergency treatment
Myth: Stroke only strikes the elderly
Reality: Stroke can happen to anyone
Myth: Stroke happens to the heart
Reality: Stroke is a "Brain Attack"
Myth: Stroke recovery only happens for a few months
following a stroke
Reality: Stroke recovery continues throughout life
My daughter, Lauren, has done a great job promoting pediatric stroke awareness, and I want to do the same.
Please considering donating to this worthy cause...I never thought it would happen to me, don't let it happen to you!!!
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