A Guernsey woman who had a stroke when she was just 20 is going to run next weekend’s London Landmarks Half Marathon, raising money for the charity which helped her through her ordeal.
Vicki Hewlett grew up in the island before moving to Essex when she was 16 to work with horses.
She suffered a stroke just four years later, and has made a full recovery.
“My stroke left me with no feeling on the left side of my body including my face; rendering me unable to walk, speak or even smile,” explained Vicki, who is now 29-years-old.
“Fortunately, I was able to make a full recovery, but for a lot of people this can result in a very different outcome.”
The cause of Vicki’s stroke was diagnosed as a PFO – often known as a hole in the heart – which allows blood clots to travel up to the brain. She has since had an operation to close it.
Because of her young age, doctors initially thought she had Bell’s palsy rather than a stroke.
“I had just got out of the bath after a normal day at work and I had a bit of a headache but nothing unusual,” recalled Vicki. “When I sat down on the bed to dry my hair, I went to lift my arm, and it was paralysed.
“Then I lost all control of the left side of the body, including the ability to stand and speak. The left side of my face dropped and I remember my vision being fuzzy.
“I was temporarily paralysed on my entire left side and was unable to speak for some time following the stroke.
“I was weak and very tired all the time. Emotionally, it was incredibly draining, and I suffered with anxiety. I felt like my whole life had fallen apart, and my confidence was non-existent.”
Vicki moved back to Guernsey in 2020 and has recently been training for her 13.1mile run around London with her best friend, Sarah Buddery.
She is fundraising for The Stroke Association, which is planning to launch community support groups in Guernsey.
“The Stroke Association were a huge support to me and my family, at a time of immense struggle and uncertainty. So it was a no brainer that we chose them to mark this ten-year milestone,” said Vicki.
“Sarah and I started running together as a bit of fun and fitness in preparation for each of our weddings and found that we were a great motivation to one another.
“The 6th of April is also a very significant date, as this marks exactly six years since Sarah lost her wonderful mum, Tina.”
Having signed up for the London Landmarks Half Marathon in 2019, Sarah was unable to run on that occasion when her mum became unwell.
This time round both Sarah and Vicki are determined to make it to both the start and the finish lines.
They’ll be cheered on by Vicki’s partner Chris who will be in the crowd, while Sarah’s husband David is also running, raising money for the charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).
Vicki and Sarah have already exceeded their fundraising target, but any further donations can be sent via Justgiving.
Sonya Webb, the Stroke Association’s engagement lead for the South West and the Channel Islands, said the charity is looking forward to supporting other people in the Bailiwick, as they did with Vicki.
“We’re hugely grateful to Vicki and Sarah for pitting themselves against this challenge and raising funds for the Stroke Association.
“Our specialist support, research and campaigning are only possible with the courage and determination of the stroke community and the generosity of our supporters.
“This is an exciting time for the Stroke Association as we’re preparing to launch community support groups in Guernsey, bringing together stroke survivors and carers on the island.
“We’ll be working with other support providers including Headway Guernsey, UnLtd at the Ron Short Centre, and the local health teams. We’re looking forward to sharing more news about this soon.”
Vicki has commended the support she and her family received from the Stroke Association, and said she’s still living with the after-effects of her stroke.
“The Stroke Association’s stroke support helpline was such a huge support for me and my family. When I was panicking or worried, there was always someone to reassure us or signpost at the other end of the phone. They made me and my family feel like we were supported and not alone.
“I have luckily regained most of what I had before, but the fear of something going wrong again is still always there. I still have some numbness in my left pointer finger and at least once a week I will drop a cup of tea or something.
“I am now in an extremely good place in my life, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, and about to get married to the love of my life in July this year.”