'I couldn't move, walk or talk after my stroke'

A former primary school teacher said her "life has changed beyond belief" after having a stroke in 2019.

Priscilla Zuta, from Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, was 42 when she had a stroke in 2019, which left her with right-sided weakness and aphasia, a condition that affects communication.

Zuta, now 48, has shared her experience on World Stroke Day as part of a campaign by the Stroke Association, which aims to raise awareness of the condition's prevention, symptoms, treatment and survivor support.

"I was so frightened and had no idea what my life would be like. I couldn't move, walk or even talk – I felt so alone," she said.

Zuta added: "Over the years it took everything out of me – but now I'm slowly feeling like I can be myself."

In April 2019, when she was attending an interview for an assistant head teacher position, Zuta lost consciousness and was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge where she was placed into a coma.

She woke up several days later unable to speak or move her body.

"I never expected I would have a stroke. I was healthy, happy, and at my prime - I was going about life as normal."

In the UK, someone has a stroke every five minutes and 1.4 million people currently living with a brain injury caused by stroke, according to the charity Stroke Association.

Research conducted by the charity found that out of 2,000 adults surveyed, a third aged 18-34 (34%) and almost a quarter of 35 to 44-year-olds (24%) believed they were too young to have a stroke.

Juliet Bouverie, the chief executive of the charity, said: "This new research shows that people still don't understand a stroke happens in the brain and wrongly believe a stroke only affects older people."

Zuta is sharing her story as part of the charity's Survival Is Not Enough campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the impact of a stroke.

The 48-year-old said: "My life has changed beyond belief. I am still the same woman, but very different.

"I have a physical disability – the weakness down one side of my body makes every task difficult, my speech condition makes speaking, thinking, reading and writing really complex – but I'm stronger and feeling like I'm becoming a better person."

Zuta's husband, Emmanuel, is now her full-time carer.

"My children and husband are my world, they've stuck by me and although it's been a long six years, I'm ready to raise awareness of this cruel condition.

"I want more people to understand what stroke is, and how a stroke can make someone feel. I am a miracle."

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