Sophie

Sophie, of Jindalee, was playing with her cousin at home, when she came out of the playroom holding her leg and then suddenly collapsed. Fortunately, her mum Amanda, whose parents both worked in healthcare, recognised the signs of a stroke and immediately called 000.

“What mum and dad taught me saved my daughter’s life,” Amanda, said.

“It was oddly calming when we were told Sophie had suffered a stroke, as it basically just confirmed my suspicions. It wasn’t until later that it really sank in.”

Every year, about two children in every 100,000 will have a stroke. Sophie, then 4 years old, had an ischemic stroke, which occurs when the arteries to your brain become narrowed or blocked, causing severely reduced blood flow.

Sophie spent 10 days in hospital after her stroke and returned frequently over the next twelve years for therapy and monitoring.

As part of her long-term treatment plan, Sophie, now 16, continues to receive physical and occupational therapies for right-side hemiplegia (paralysis) caused by the stroke. She also continues to have some learning challenges but is well supported by her teachers at St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School and has a reputation for giving everything a go.

“By engaging Sophie in the discussion and letting her set her own goals, we have been able to accomplish so much. Stroke wasn’t the end; stroke was the beginning. The start of the adventure where she became a stronger, smarter, more determined version of herself,” Amanda said.

Sophie’s younger brother Elliot played an important role in her recovery. “If she had to get a needle, she would take Elliot with her. When he was only two and a half years old, he would sit there and hold her hand and say ‘It’s OK. Don’t cry.’

Sophie and her family are now using their experience to help increase awareness of strokes in children and have documented her road to recovery on the Stroke Kids Facebook page. “We set up this page to help other families, show there is plenty of life after stroke and that therapy can be creative and fun.”

Sophie and Elliot have also become strong advocates for young people affected by stroke. Individually and collectively, the pair volunteer their time to raise awareness of childhood stroke and have spoken to State and Federal politicians on the subject. Both have fundraised to help in the fight against stroke including through the Stroke Foundation’s Stride4Stroke event and running a bake sale at school.

In 2022, their dedication to the cause earned them the inaugural Stroke Warrior Award at the annual Stroke Foundation Awards.