Tipperary student who had a stroke aged two now helping others cope

A student who suffered a stroke at the age of two is helping other cardiovascular survivors through their health ordeals.

23-year-old David O’Donnell, from Ballina, had to learn to walk and talk again after enduring a stroke as a toddler in November 2004.

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He still suffers the physical and mental scars, but has vowed to help improve the lives of others through the Irish Heart Foundation’s Patient Champions programme.

“Doctors had no explanation of a child this young coming in with a stroke and told my parents this,” said David.

“They couldn’t find any clear reason.”

The alarm was raised by his parents when they found their then two-and-a-half-year-old son could not speak or move the right side of his body as he lay in his cot.

After two nights in University Hospital Limerick, David was transferred to Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin, where he remained for almost a month so doctors could rule out possible causes.

A paediatric neurologist eventually confirmed that the stroke was caused by an unknown virus.

David’s episode had a profound impact on his childhood and teenage years.

“Growing up, especially through primary school, I was very conscious of being different,” he recalls.

“My walk isn’t the best, and my right hand doesn’t work that well.

“I was always conscious of that, and it held me back psychologically more than physically.”

He has now completed his BA in Psychology and is working towards his master’s degree.

He is also pursuing ‘life changing’ voluntary work with the Patient Champions programme to help others who have suffered cardiac problems and stroke.

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The programme is free of charge, delivered online and accessible to patients with a heart or stroke diagnosis throughout Ireland.

It teaches heart and stroke patients about advocacy methods and channels open to them, to try and bring about better outcomes for themselves and other patients, especially in the area of political lobbying, patient representation in healthcare, and advocating to the public.

“It’s been brilliant,” David says.

“Before, I didn’t think there was any point in reaching out to others who’d had a stroke. I didn’t know anyone my age who had. But then I met this group, and they’re wonderful. It’s uplifting to see others going through similar experiences.”