As new figures show the numbers of younger people suffering a stroke are increasing, Dawn Clarkson recounts her own experiences and remarkable recovery. Kate Liptrot reports.

DAWN Clarkson was exercising after a tough day at work when she had a stroke. Having spent the day working on a stressful case for trading standards, she collapsed whilst running in woodland at a bootcamp exercise group.

Unconscious for a week in hospital, when Dawn came round she couldn’t identify what things were and when she was shown cards of apples and oranges, she couldn’t name them. She said: “I never once thought I would be able to return to work.”

After nine-and-a-half weeks in hospital Dawn had intensive therapy at home, based on a principle where her left dominant side was restricted so she couldn’t use it, and she was forced to use her weaker side.

After a year of gruelling exercise and physiotherapy, Dawn was able to return to work with Trading Standards at City of York Council.

She can type and is able to walk having previously had to use a wheelchair.

Nearly two years on and now 53, she said: “I know I have made an amazing recovery. People are baffled about how I can type when my hand is still numb.

“I really didn’t think I would work again, but my return to work has been really supported.

“I have my own desk and chair for the one day a week I am in the office and I work from home three days a week, but it’s quite flexible. They’ve even worked out the evacuation procedure for me with the health and safety team in case of a fire.

"The key issue I have is actually getting to and from work on the train; sometimes I have to stand as there is no assistance if I’m not in my chair and I find it hard to get on to the platform.”

Dawn is among increasing numbers of younger people suffering a stroke.

Last week it was reported the number of strokes occurring in men aged between 40 and 54 in Yorkshire and Humberside has rocketed by more than a fifth in eight years, according to the Stroke Association.

An analysis of hospital admission data by the charity, to mark Action on Stroke Month 2015, reveals that in 2000, there were more than 500 hospital admissions for stroke among men aged between 40 and 54 in Yorkshire and the Humber. This figure soared to 603 in 2014 – an increase of 21 per cent.

It is thought that much of the rise is due to increasing sedentary and unhealthy lifestyles, and changes in hospital admission practice. The charity’s research shows the number of women aged 40 to 54-years-old admitted to hospital after a stroke in the last eight years has also increased in the region - from 381 in 2000, to 413 in 2014.

Overall, the number of strokes occurring in people of working age in Yorkshire and the Humber has risen by 15 per cent within the past eight years.

Julia MacLeod, regional head of operations at the Stroke Association, said: “These figures show that stroke can no longer be seen as a disease of older people.

“There is an alarming increase in the numbers of people having a stroke in working age. This comes at a huge cost, not only to the individual, but also to their families and to health and social care services.

“The simple truth is that we must do more to raise people’s awareness of risk factors, to help prevent them from having a stroke.

“With many more stroke patients now receiving emergency medical treatment, we also need the right health and social care services available. People must have the support they need to make the best possible recovery and avoid having to cope for decades with the disabilities that stroke can bring.”

The charity is warning that the rise in working age stroke means more people will be forced to live with the heavy financial impact of the condition. Stroke survivors unable to return to work can struggle to cope with a fall in income, increased household bills and a benefits system which does not recognise the full impact of stroke.

Overall, stroke costs the UK economy around £9bn a year. Loss of income, due to death and disability from stroke alone, is over £1.3billion each year. Patients said they found a lack of awareness among employers about the symptoms and a reluctance to employ stroke survivors.

Julia MacLeod said: “Having a stroke is bad enough, but being written off by your employer through a lack of understanding can be catastrophic. Businesses play a crucial role in helping stroke survivors get back into the workplace and on the road to recovery.

“That’s why we’re calling on employers to be aware of the physical and emotional impact of stroke.” l The Stroke Association provides advice and practical support to help stroke survivors return to employment. For more information, visit www.stroke.org.uk or call 0303 303 3100.


The signs and symptoms to look out for

A stroke is a serious, life-threatening medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Strokes are a medical emergency and urgent treatment is essential because the sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen.

If you suspect that you or someone else is having a stroke, phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.

The main symptoms of stroke can be remembered with the word FAST: Face-Arms-Speech-Time.

Face – the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile or their mouth or eye may have dropped.

Arms – the person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of arm weakness or numbness in one arm.

Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake.

Time – it is time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.