A Portsmouth mother is delivering a stark warning to other parents after her healthy, sporty 15-year-old son, Finley, suffered a life-changing stroke last year. Kelly, Finley's mum, found him collapsed behind his bedroom door in July, unable to move or speak, just as he was preparing for his first football match with East Lodge Football Club. This unexpected event has prompted her to highlight that strokes are not exclusive to older individuals, challenging a widespread misconception.
Upon discovering Finley's critical condition, Kelly immediately dialled 999. The swift response from a GoodSAM volunteer, followed by two ambulance crews, was crucial. Paramedics quickly identified that Finley's symptoms were indicative of a stroke, leading to his urgent transfer to Queen Alexandra (QA) Hospital in Portsmouth. Following consultation with specialists at University Hospital Southampton's hyper-acute stroke unit, Finley received emergency thrombolysis, a clot-busting medication vital for restoring blood flow to the brain, before being transferred to paediatric intensive care.
Finley spent seven and a half weeks in hospital, and while his family describes his recovery as 'remarkable', he continues to live with the effects of the stroke almost a year later. Kelly emphasised, "One of the things we've heard time and time again is, 'he's too young to have a stroke'. The reality is that stroke can happen to anyone." She hopes that by sharing Finley's story, it will empower others to recognise the signs of a stroke and seek prompt medical attention, regardless of age.
South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) has echoed this warning, stressing that strokes can impact people across all age groups, including children and young adults. Duncan Robertson, chief paramedic at SCAS, highlighted the danger of dismissing milder symptoms. "Many people associate stroke with older age, but strokes can affect people of all ages," he stated. "One of the biggest dangers is when symptoms appear mild or seem to improve. People can be tempted to wait and see if things get better, but a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), often referred to as a mini stroke, can be an early warning sign and should never be ignored."
According to the Stroke Association, there are over 100,000 strokes in the UK each year, with around a quarter of these occurring in people of working age. While less common, strokes in children and young people can have profound and lasting impacts on development, education, and quality of life. Recognising the F.A.S.T. (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) test remains critical for identifying stroke symptoms, even if they appear subtle or transient.
Source: South Central Ambulance Service, Kelly (Finley's Mum)