14-year-old Wardle boy faces long recovery after stroke

The family of a 14-year-old boy from Wardle who suffered a stroke out of the blue are aiming to raise awareness of childhood strokes, plus funds for adaptations for the family home.

Charlie Cole, 14, an avid gamer and football player, had been upstairs gaming online with his friends when the stroke happened on Friday 2 April. Aside from ‘feeling a bit funny’ in the morning, no further symptoms were presented.

His aunt, Rebecca Jackson, said: “Charlie had gone upstairs to wait for his lunch. He'd felt a bit funny earlier; he couldn’t describe it. My sister, Charlie's mum, sent him in to have a sit down, and after a bit he was back to normal so they sent him upstairs while they made lunch.

“My niece went upstairs where she found Charlie slurring his words and holding his head in his hands. His friends said he had started talking strangely, and within moments, he was unconscious.”

Due to Charlie’s young age and physical fitness, paramedics and nurses thought the teen was initially suffering with a migraine, as, in addition to a headache, he felt dizzy and faint.

However, after scans were carried out at the hospital, it was revealed that Charlie had actually had a stroke, a serious life-threatening medical condition that happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. The cause has not yet been identified for Charlie or his family.

Strokes are a medical emergency and urgent treatment is essential. The sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen.

“Charlie’s face had dropped, but strokes in children typically present as headaches rather than the FAST symptoms we’re told to look for,” Rebecca added. “The adverts all depict elderly people and you don’t think of it affecting children. We want to raise awareness of strokes in young people and help Charlie reclaim some of the life he has lost. More awareness of this will help to save lives.”

Charlie has always been a caring, active and funny young lad with a whole raft of hobbies and passions, says Rebecca: “He was a keen footballer and gamer, spending time with his friends and his favourite cousin, both outdoors on the football field and indoors on the Playstation.

“Now his favourite activities have been taken away from him. From his favourite rides at theme parks to simple things like walking and talking, everything has been affected in some way.”

Charlie remains in hospital, where he is improving with rehabilitation, says Rebecca: “He’s really determined. His main focus is speech, language and occupational therapy but his speech is improving, and he’s able to get up and walk for short periods. He’s aware his vocabulary has been affected as Charlie is struggling to name certain things.”

However, Charlie will be unable to partake in his favourite activities, such as football, for some time. An upcoming family holiday to a theme park has also been shelved for the time being, as he will be unable to go on the rides.

Charlie has aspirations of becoming a marine engineer, and had just picked his options at high school.

Charlie’s rehabilitation will continue at his home in Wardle, but some adaptations will need to be made.

His bedroom on the top floor of a three storey house will have to be relocated, and Rebecca thinks an extension to the house may be required so that Charlie can remain independent, but also be close enough should he require assistance.

Rebecca continued: “Charlie is a fighter and has more grit than most grown men; he is making great strides in his recovery, but he can't do it alone.

“As a family, we are asking for some financial support to help pay for the things that Charlie will need to help him adapt to his new life. He needs fall sensors, mobility equipment, home adaptations... the list goes on.

Whatever help you can afford to give will be gratefully received and put to good use. “Charlie is a good kid with a bright future, he needs some help so if you can give it, please, please do.”

If you want to support Charlie and his family, please visit:

• www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rebecca-jackson-807

 

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The Stroke Association says there are over 400 childhood strokes a year in the UK, affecting babies, children and young people.

There are two main types of stroke, both of which are equally common in children: ischaemic, caused by a blockage in the blood supply to the brain; and haemorrhagic, which occur when blood leaks from a burst blood vessel into the brain.

Children can also have a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), which happens when the brain's blood supply is interrupted for a very brief time. The symptoms only last for a few minutes or hours and then completely disappear, usually within 24 hours.

 

 

The ACT F.A.S.T. campaign – which urges individuals to act without hesitation for both themselves and on behalf of others – has been re-launched by Public Health England and the Stroke Association as of last month.

• Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
• Arms – can they raise both their arms and keep them there?
• Speech – is their speech slurred?
• Time – time to call 999/are they having speech difficulties?

Some other signs of stroke or mini stroke can include:

• Sudden loss of vision or blurred vision in one or both eyes
• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of your body (including in your leg)
• Sudden memory loss or confusion
• Sudden dizziness, unsteadiness, or a sudden fall, especially with any of the other signs

Stroke is a medical emergency and anyone experiencing symptoms should seek urgent help.