'He’s our miracle boy': Louie, 7, fronts Stroke Association's Christmas campaign
When seven-year-old Louie Clark from Wakefield ran out to play football with a family friend earlier this year, no one could have imagined how that day would change everything.
Moments after starting to play, Louie vomited and became drowsy. When the car pulled up at the family home, Ben knew instantly that something was seriously wrong.
Ben said: “He couldn’t control any part of his body and couldn’t even hold his head up without being sick.”
Ben immediately called 999, but despite Louie failing multiple stroke tests, the operator warned it could be up to three hours before an ambulance arrived.
“That’s when Lindsey and I decided to drive him straight to Pinderfields Hospital,” Ben said.
Doctors soon confirmed Louie had had a childhood ischaemic stroke caused by a dissection of the neck artery.
Through the night, Louie’s condition worsened and he underwent a life-saving thrombectomy procedure.
Louie spent more than 75 days in intensive care receiving round-the-clock treatment and therapy.
“Louie couldn’t walk, talk, swallow or even see straight at first,” Ben said.
“But on day four or five, Louie lifted his middle finger up to his little brother and I didn’t care that he was swearing! I saw that as a major step in the right direction.”
Louie’s recovery has been long and full of challenges.
“It’s very difficult living with a stroke survivor,” Ben admits.
“Louie’s lost all sense of control in his emotions and sense of danger. He’s very impulsive and doesn’t always think before doing something.
“But he’s still determined, he wants to play football again, and he’s even taken a liking to golf.”
New findings by the Stroke Association revealed a third of stroke survivors feel like a burden to their families at Christmas.
To highlight the findings, the charity has released a short film, featuring Louie, called ‘Still Christmas’, showing home videos and photos shared by survivors and their families.
High profile supporters including Brian Cox, Alison Steadman, Amanda Abbington and Jo Brand, narrate the film.
“I’d like people to understand that strokes do happen to younger people, it’s not an ‘old person thing’,” Ben said.
“A stroke is life-changing, not a short-term injury. Louie might look fine, but he’s far from alright.”
“Louie’s strong-willed, brave, and he never gives up,” says Ben proudly.
“He’s our miracle boy.
“With Louie’s first Christmas (since the stroke) coming up, our initial worries were that he struggles with his emotions and sometimes struggles with being in social settings.
"We are just incredibly grateful he is here. That’s the best Christmas present ever.”
Juliet Bouverie OBE, CEO of the Stroke Association, said: "For 85,000 people in the UK, this year will be their first Christmas after a stroke.
"A stroke can have physical and cognitive impacts, as well as emotional trauma, with survivors facing a long journey to relearn lost skills and adapt to new circumstances.
"But, with strength, determination and the right support, recovery is possible. That’s why we’ve created our powerful new film, to highlight the devastation stroke can cause, and to remind people that we are here for support.
"We’re encouraging everyone to give the gift of stroke support this Christmas so that we can help more survivors and their loved ones find their strength and their way back to life after a stroke.”