Article Source: Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
Last Updated: 17 September 2020 14:51
MARATHON MUM TAKES ON BIGGEST CHALLENGE YET, RECOVERING FROM STROKE
Now stroke survivor Carole is determined to give back to the charity that changed her life
Carole Fortune’s life changed forever last October when she had a stroke. Carole woke up on the bedroom floor unable to move and didn’t know what had happened to her. Her first thought was that she had overdone things in the gym the night before, but she soon realised that she had no feeling down her left side. Full of panic she shouted on her daughter who quickly realised that her mum was having a stroke and immediately called 999.
Carole, age 56, from Edinburgh who will take on her 16th London marathon for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland in October, said:
“I woke up on my bedroom floor and couldn’t push myself up. I knew something was seriously wrong when I had no feeling at all in my left arm and leg, it was terrifying. I was so relieved that my daughter Jade was in the house when this happened as she often stays with her boyfriend at the weekends. I don’t know what I would have done if she wasn’t home. She could clearly see that my face had drooped and knew I was having a stroke and that she needed to call an ambulance right away.”
At this point Carole wouldn’t have believed that in less than a year she would be taking on the Virgin London Marathon, all to raise money for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.
Carole recovered well because she was in good shape and because she got to hospital so quickly which improved her chances. Carole worked hard to rebuild her physical strength using furniture to walk with to now being able to run again, but she was struggling mentally and was very afraid and scared of having another stroke.
Thankfully, she started to receive help from Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Stroke Nurse Thomas Jones. Thomas started visiting Carole regularly and was able to help and support her and ease her worries. Carole, who continues to work as a Beauty Therapist explains just how important this help was to her recovery,
“After you have a stroke, your head is swimming with questions and so many worries and I was suffering from a lot of anxiety.
Thomas was absolutely brilliant. He helped me come to terms with this major thing that had just interrupted my life. He is so knowledgeable and answered all my questions I had about my stroke.
Since the stroke, I have struggled with my voice. I found that I spoke too fast and I couldn’t help saying too much in one sentence then I was gasping for air. I couldn’t speak loudly or clearly, making it difficult for me to join in conversations. Thomas arranged speech therapy sessions and the exercises helped with my confidence.
He also arranged physiotherapist sessions as I have a weakness in my left shoulder girdle and that gave me exercises to strengthen it. I still struggle from time to time in certain situations with anxiety, but Thomas still supports me.”
A year on from her stroke, Carole is now taking on a massive physical challenge to raise funds for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland,
“It’s now been a year since I faced the biggest challenge of my life, recovering from my stroke, and I’m determined to give back to the charity that changed my life.
That’s why I decided to challenge myself to run the virtual London Marathon to help other stroke survivors like me. Not only is it 26.2 miles it has almost 5,000 ft elevation as I am running over the Pentland Hills to Dolphinton.
I hope as many people as possible donate what they can, so that Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland can still be there for people like me who really need their help and services.”
Lawrence Cowan, Director of Fundraising, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland said:
"Carole is an inspiration. To be taking on such a difficult challenge, and especially after having a stroke just a year ago is incredible.
"Carole is the embodiment of no life half lived and that's what Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is all about. We want people to do more than survive after a stroke, we want them to really live."
If you would like to support Carole and donate to her incredible challenge, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Carole-FORTUNE
Edinburgh Science Festival drew its 35th anniversary edition to a close last weekend and now announces its new Director, Hassun El-Zafar, and dates for the 2025 Festival.
READ MOREThere’s just one week to go before the Pomegranates Festival of International Traditional Dance (25-30 April) kicks off at the Scottish Storytelling Centre and various venues across Edinburgh.
READ MORENow in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MOREThe popular Edinburgh Seafood Festival returns to St James Quarter, with even more opportunities to get a taste of the finest Scottish fare!
READ MORECineworld Edinburgh celebrates the acclaimed British director Danny Boyle from May 7th to May 28th with a limited time big screen re-release of four of his classic titles at only £5 per ticket!
READ MOREJohnnie Walker Princes Street is inviting guests to find their flow and embark on a journey of tranquility and connectivity with its latest offering, Sunrise Yoga on 3rd May!
READ MORERed Carnation Hotels, the family-owned hotel collection, proudly announces the opening of its latest masterpiece and first property in Scotland, 100 Princes Street.
READ MOREThe Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo has been named the best zoo to visit in Scotland by TripAdvisor, the world’s biggest travel guidance platform.
READ MOREAmbassador Theatre Group (“ATG”), a leading live entertainment organisation, and owner of the Edinburgh Playhouse, today announced that it is rebranding as ATG Entertainment.
READ MORELatest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MORERUSK & RUSK, the independent Scottish restaurant group, today shares first look impressions of The Spanish Butcher, Edinburgh, and confirms it will officially open on Friday 10th May.
READ MORESip & Bark is opening its doors today on Raeburn Place in Stockbridge, with a delicious brunch offering, a selection of cocktails and fine wines, plus it’s dog friendly!
READ MOREThe annual Open Weekend returns to Port Edgar, the largest watersports and activity centre in Scotland, for a special 10th-anniversary event on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May!
READ MOREBroadway and West End phenomenon Kinky Boots The Musical, is strutting into Edinburgh in a brand-new production starring Strictly's Johannes Radebe and rising star Dan Partridge!
READ MORELaser Station will be hosting an exciting fundraising event from April 22nd to April 28th, aimed at raising funds to support Cash For Kids initiatives.
READ MORELloyds Banking Group is hosting a free event on Saturday 13th April in Edinburgh for young people wanting to explore the wide range of careers options available in the banking industry.
READ MOREVolunteers at the Newtongrange Community Garden were delighted to welcome a special visitor on Tuesday 2nd April - Owen Thompson MP.
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MOREGlobal apparel retailer UNIQLO will open its doors to Edinburgh’s highly anticipated store on 25 April 2024, with the arrival marks the regeneration of the shopping scene in Scotland’s capital.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.
READ MOREThis year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MOREDuck & Waffle Edinburgh is thrilled to announce the return of breakfast service seven days a week and to celebrate KIDS EAT FREE for the Easter break!
READ MOREA fantastic range of brand-new blockbusters, haunting horrors, theatre productions and all-time action classics lead the roster of releases heading to Vue this April.
READ MOREEdinburgh Folk Club’s weekly folk, roots and acoustic nights are set to continue into the spring and summer, along with the return of their annual Songwriting Competition.
READ MOREGilded Balloon have today added over 65 shows for 2024’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe line-up including Michelle Braiser and Mhairi Black!
READ MOREMore than 5,400 people took advantage of exclusive offers available only to residents within the City of Edinburgh Council area last year.
READ MOREElaine C. Smith will play the role of The Childcatcher in the new production of the most fantasmagorical musical of all time, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, when it comes to Edinburgh Playhouse!
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MOREJoin Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MORESip & Bark, a vibrant dog-friendly brunch spot, is delighted to announce its grand opening next month in Raeburn Place, Stockbridge.
READ MORE