Stroke aged two - Survivor becomes champion for Irish patients

A young Tipperary man who was forced to relearn how to walk and talk after suffering a stroke as a toddler is using his experience to guide others through their recovery. David O’Donnell has overcome the physical and mental scars left by the inexplicable illness to become a vital voice for the Irish Heart Foundation.

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

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

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, from Ballina in Co Tipperary.

“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 an unknown virus caused the stroke.

A stroke is a brain injury and happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted, potentially damaging millions of brain cells and causing disability.

An estimated 7,500 occur in Ireland every year.

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.

David O'Donnell.

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 available to them to try to improve outcomes for themselves and other patients, especially in political lobbying, patient representation in healthcare, and public advocacy. 

“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.” 

The latest group of Patient Champions graduated from the programme last week.

Advocacy Campaign Manager with the Irish Heart Foundation, Pauline O’Shea, who leads the programme and is herself a cardiac patient, described people like David as the real heroes of the organisation.

“They are a terrific addition to our team. Their insight, authenticity, and determination to help their fellow community of patients and the organisation by sharing their personal accounts of significant issues that affect heart and stroke patients, is a powerful combination for working for positive change for patients.”

If you would like to become a Patient Champion with the Irish Heart Foundation, visit: irishheart.ie/patientchampions.