'It can happen to anyone': former Nottingham student who suffered seven strokes at 19 raises awareness
Ryan Finan suffered seven acute strokes in one night when he was studying in the city, reminding young people that it can happen at any age
A former University of Nottingham student, who suffered seven strokes in a single night at the age of 19 is speaking out to raise awareness that the life-threatening condition can affect people of any age.
Ryan Finan, 31, from Letchworth Garden City, is sharing his experience as part of a campaign with the Stroke Association, highlighting misconceptions around strokes and the long-term impact they can have on survivors.
New research from the charity reveals that almost a third (32%) of people do not realise a stroke is a brain injury, while one in four strokes happen to people of working age.
Ryan was studying at Nottingham Trent University in October 2013 when he suffered seven acute strokes in one night.
After going to bed with a migraine, he woke in the early hours shaking uncontrollably and struggling to move. He managed to reach his housemates, who recognised something was wrong and took him to hospital.
Doctors discovered an undiagnosed hole in his heart had allowed a blood clot to travel to his brain. Ryan was left paralysed down one side of his body and was told he might never walk or talk again.
He spent around a month in hospital undergoing treatment and rehabilitation, including speech and occupational therapy.
After years of hard work and determination, Ryan gradually regained his mobility and speech, with music playing an important role in his recovery and helping him rediscover his ability to sing.
Now working as an IT salesman and musician, he is using his experience to challenge the belief that strokes only affect older people.
Ryan said: "It happens to babies, it happens to people even younger than myself. I think it's easy to say, oh, as young people, but any age is always going to impact you."
He added: "The importance that people need to understand is that this can happen to anybody."
Ryan also highlighted the psychological impact of stroke, explaining that losing the ability to enjoy everyday activities can leave survivors feeling isolated.
He is encouraging people to support loved ones through recovery and not underestimate the emotional challenges they may face.
Ryan said: "Just that reassurance that you'll get back on your feet and that they have the ability to still do the things they love in life is so vital for that mental wellbeing."
The Stroke Association says more than 85,000 people survive a stroke every year in the UK, with one in five people unaware of the long-term difficulties it can cause.