strokes
Harley Cochrane's parents, Bo Dumigan and Tommy Cochrane, the sight of their daughter playing brings the couple special joy. Tat's because last year, at only two years of
One family’s worst nightmare... W
Strokes are generally associated with middle and old age, but, for one Carrickfergus family, it was their two-year-old daughter, who became a victim.
atching any three year old playing with her dolls is guaranteed to bring a smile to the faces of her parents, but for
Victoria Hospital in Belfast and it was that act of kindness which saved Harley's life.' Bo and Tommy were told that Harley's stroke
age, the Carrickfergus toddler suffered a stroke. 'I'll never forget that day when I was out with
Harley and my mum for a walk in August, 2015,' Bo tells MM. 'As we were walking, she suddenly fell down, and, when I picked her up she was a dead weight. Te leſt-hand side of her face had also fallen. 'I didn't know what was happening and I was
just running about screaming for help. Tankfully, a passer-by took us to the Royal
NORTHERN IRELAND CHEST HEART & STROKE Joe, Elizabeth and Clodagh, living locally with congenital heart disease, chronic respiratory illness and stroke
had probably been caused by a clot caused by the chickenpox. She lost all movement down her leſt side and couldn't speak, but, fortunately, as the days went on, she improved greatly and, by week five, she was able to walk around holding her dad’s hand for support. Now back home, Harley wears a splint on her
leg but is able to run around like any other child, and loves playing outdoors with her cousins and her dog. She has limited use of her leſt hand but she calls this 'her helping hand', which, she says, 'is starting to wake up from its big long sleep'. Bo and Tommy also have a special pram for
long walks. 'Te pram didn’t have a rain cover,' Bo
battle is far from over. 'She still sees the psychiatrist and the
physiotherapist to deal with the impact of the stroke,' says Bo, 'but they are very hopeful that she will make a full recovery eventually, as her body is still developing and has youth on her side.' „
continues, 'so we contacted Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke to see if they could help. Fiona Greene, Director of Care Services at the charity, visited us and agreed that they would buy us the rain cover we needed. Tat meant that, over the winter, we were able to get out and about whatever the weather.' Bo and Tommy know that their - and Harley's -
J
S
Supported by
Charity Number NIC103593
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