A young Werribee mum is on a mission to educate more Wyndham residents about stroke this November.
Erin Simmonds was just 30-years-old at the time of her stroke in August this year.
She said she initially dismissed her symptoms as carpel tunnel syndrome.
“I was laying in bed with my husband and daughter, and I noticed I couldn’t feel my face, or the ends of my fingers on my left hand. It was like I’d lost all of my fine motor skills,” Ms Simmonds said.
“I said to my husband, something is not right, so we went to the doctor, but he didn’t think it was anything serious. Thankfully, I followed my instincts and went to hospital. They rushed me through for tests and found out I’d had a stroke, they also determined I’d had several strokes in the past.”
Ms Simmonds was in hospital for four days and spent a further month recovering. Her rehabilitation journey is ongoing, and she still hasn’t regained full feeling in her left hand.
“I have to be positive, I spent time on the stroke ward and saw how much worse off I could have been. Stroke is devastating,” she said.
“I have a two-year-old and my whole life ahead of me. It breaks my heart that I can’t feel it when I hold my daughter’s hand, but I’m just grateful to be here.”
Throughout November, Ms Simmonds and her husband, Luke, will be pounding the pavement as part of Stride4Stroke.
They’ve already raised more than $1,000 for the annual fundraiser which encourages Australians to get active to reduce their risk of stroke.
Participants set an activity goal to increase their daily ‘moving minutes’ by walking, running, swimming, or cycling.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr Lisa Murphy commended Ms Simmonds for her efforts as part of her stroke recovery.
She urged all Australians to follow in her footsteps by making their moves count this November.
“Research has shown that just 30 minutes of exercise five times a week can reduce your stroke risk by 25 per cent,” Dr Murphy said.
“Stride4Stroke is a great starting point to make the changes that can reduce your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes which are all modifiable risk factors of stroke.”
Stride4Stroke runs throughout November. Every dollar raised will assist the Stroke Foundation fight stroke, fund research and support survivors and their families at all stages of recovery.
For more information and to support Erin Simmonds visit: www.stride4stroke.org.au/fundraisers/SimmondsCrew
