A REDDITCH stroke survivor is taking on the Stroke Association’s Resolution Run at Arrow Valley Country Park this Sunday, February 25.
Kay Walker was just 35 when she was struck down by a stroke.
She’d originally woken up with a bad headache in November 2016 after a friend’s housewarming party, and put it down to over-indulging the night before.
“My headache lasted all weekend and was on the top of my head, which I thought was strange,” said Kay.
“My left hand had also gone weak, and I kept dropping my phone whenever I tried to use it.
“I’m a housekeeper in a residential home and when I went to work my colleague and mother advised me to see a doctor.”
Kay’s doctor sent her to Worcestershire Royal Hospital, where it was found she’d had a stroke.
She was discharged after a week, but still with weakness in her left side.
She had to retrain her hand with physiotherapy, after losing the movement in her fingers and thumb and underwent open brain surgery in January 2017 to repair the aneurysm.
“I’m now a lot better and can use my hand again,” said Kay who is now preparing to take on the Stroke Association’s 5km Resolution Run at Arrow Valley Country Park with her partner Claire Gordon, to raise vital funds for the charity.
“I’ve never been a runner or seen myself going to a gym, but after my stroke I decided to join Gymophobics in Redditch, which has been amazing.
“My partner Claire and our friend Yvonne will be running alongside me on the day. I want to raise as much as I can for the Stroke Association to help others get the support they need.”
Entry fee for the run is £16 and all runners will receive a running T-shirt and medal. For more information visit the Stroke Association online or call 0300 330 0740.
