Corby brain blood clot survivor mum is a 'hero' and offers hope to victims of strokes

The children of a woman who nearly died after suffering a stroke, crashing her car and contracting Covid have called their mum a hero.

Self-employed housekeeper Michelle Wall had been driving to her home in Corby along Gretton Brook Road when a sudden stroke caused her to lose control on a bend and she crashed into a ditch on February 18.

Such was her condition after the accident, surgeons weren’t able to perform a thrombectomy to remove the clot, which had spread over half of her brain. She had to undergo an operation to remove the pressure on her brain the following day but her family were told her chances of survival were very low.

Michelle’s son Craig Wall, 27, said: “Although I hadn’t accepted it, I was trying to prepare for the fact we were going to lose mum.

"She was on life support after the procedure to remove the pressure on her brain but by the Monday we were amazed - she started wiggling her fingers and hours later she was breathing without assistance.”

The 58-year-old's condition continued improving over the days and weeks with the mum-of-two beginning to recognise her surroundings, however, as lockdown was introduced and visiting was cancelled.

Michelle was unable to see any of the family for 130 days including daughter Sian, 25, and her partner Josh Borland, son Craig and his partner Tenita Williams. She also contracted Covid whilst in a county hospital.

In June, she missed the birth of her first grandchild Hallie.

Surviving the near-fatal stroke, Michelle's family were told the bleak news that she might never be able to talk, walk, read or eat without help. However, Michelle has now gone on to start walking independently and she is also feeding herself and talking more as the weeks pass.

Craig, who recently moved to Moulton from Corby, said: “She is my hero. As a family we are amazed at what mum has been able to do.

"From being told she wouldn’t survive to being told her recovery was unknown, she is now singing, moving on her own and eating without assistance too. She is also just as cheeky and funny as she always has been.

"Mum’s stroke has turned our lives upside down. So much credit goes to my sister who is now mum’s full-time carer. She has really helped with her rehabilitation process.

“We were also able to introduce mum to her new grand-daughter too which was amazing and emotional."

Although not able to talk, Michelle can express her emotions and because the singing part of the brain was not damaged by the stroke, she loves singing along to music.

Daughter Sian has been taking her mum out to her favourite coffee shop Bewiched in Corby town centre and for meals at the Saxon Crown and Harper's Brook pubs.

Craig said: "We knew nothing about strokes before, so it’s important everyone realises the signs and the fact stroke can happen to anyone. Starting recovery can happen too, even if we were told it was unlikely.”

The family has been working with the Stroke Association on their Hope After Stroke campaign to raise awareness that there is hope for stroke survivors with the chance of a good recovery.

A survey has revealed that more than four out of five stroke survivors reported being told that their recoveries would be limited to within the first year after their stroke. One in five stroke survivors did not feel any hope at all.

Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association, said: “It’s shocking that so many people are told that there is a time limit to their recovery. It can be demotivating and soul destroying, when we know evidence is to the contrary. It makes our job harder but even more important.

“We know that stroke survivors cling onto even the smallest glimmer of hope. This is what powers them on to achieve what many thought would be impossible.

"I’ve heard so many stories of remarkable people making recoveries even 20 years after their stroke. This survey was conducted before the pandemic and while shocking then, it’s likely to have become worse as people’s fears of coronavirus and not wanting to burden the NHS overtake their hopes. Hope is the bedrock to rebuilding lives.”

On average a stroke affects a person every five minutes in the UK

Juliet added: “We aren’t able to reach everyone who has been affected by stroke and even our current offering is under threat. The pandemic and local surges have put even more strain on how we can deliver against that aim and has impacted how we can generate income to continue to be there for stroke survivors and their families. We need everyone to get behind our campaign and help us raise not only awareness, but the vital funds.”

For more information about Hope After Stroke and the vital role hope plays in rebuilding lives visit www.stroke.org.uk/hope.

The Stroke Association is a charity working across the UK to support people to rebuild their lives after stroke. For information and support click here or call the Stroke Helpline on 0303 3033 100 to find out about support available locally.

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