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Dublin Live
a day ago
- Health
- Dublin Live
Dublin mum suffered life-changing stroke just days after son was born
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A mum has relived the shock of a life-changing stroke just days after she brought her newborn son home from hospital. Lisa Kenny, 42, was separated from her family for seven months after the crippling health emergency derailed the joy of welcoming baby Alfie in October 2019. She now lives with aphasia, an acquired language disorder that often occurs following brain injury, such as stroke. She spoke about her experience as part of Aphasia Awareness Month. Aphasia affects the understanding of spoken or written language, including reading and writing or the production of spoken language. Ms Kenny, from Balbriggan in north Dublin, said: "With my stroke and aphasia, it was hard to suddenly be separated from my children because I couldn't talk and I was on a lot of medication. "When I was in hospital, it was so hard because I couldn't see my children, Emily, now 13, and Alfie." Her first symptom of stroke, four days after returning home with Alfie, was a headache and she later lost feeling in her right arm and leg before her face began to droop. Ms Kenny's fiance, Paul, phoned for an ambulance and a brain scan revealed she had experienced a haemorrhagic stroke. She underwent brain surgery and again two months later, to replace her skull bone. Due to complications including pneumonia and seizure, it would be seven months before Lisa she could return home from the National Rehabilitation Hospital, where she worked with occupational, physical and speech and language therapists. "Now, I'm OK with speaking and talking, it's 50/50. I have got back to normal texting, which is huge for my communication," she said. As a result of her aphasia, she could not return to work. Lisa uses Irish Heart Foundation supports to aid her recovery, including the Young Stroke Survivors Network, the Life after Stroke private Facebook group, the Aphasia-Friendly Cafe and the Rhythm of Recovery Choir. "I continue to push and challenge myself and just try to stay positive," she said. "I keep going, keep strong and healthy, for Emily and Alfie. "I choose to laugh, love and be happy because life keeps going on and I will always have them with me. "My speech and language and physiotherapy are the key, too." She is working with the national charity to improve her comprehension, reading and maths. Helen Gaynor, head of community support services with the charity, said: "The Irish Heart Foundation offers a variety of support services for people living with the life changing effects of a stroke, including the challenges of aphasia. "Our stroke connect service and peer support groups are available to anyone who has experienced a stroke, and those living with aphasia. "Our Step by Step through Stroke booklet, a helpful guide for stroke survivors, families and carers, helps people to prepare for potential changes due to stroke, such as communication difficulties." For more information on aphasia support, and other supports for anyone affected by heart disease or stroke, visit Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage .
The Journal
a day ago
- Health
- The Journal
Mother relives shock of life-changing stroke just days after son was born
A MOTHER HAS relived the shock of a life-changing stroke just days after she brought her newborn son home from hospital. Lisa Kenny, 42, was separated from her family for seven months after the crippling health emergency derailed the joy of welcoming baby Alfie in October 2019. She now lives with aphasia, an acquired language disorder that often occurs following brain injury, such as stroke. She spoke about her experience as part of Aphasia Awareness Month. Aphasia affects the understanding of spoken or written language, including reading and writing or the production of spoken language. Ms Kenny, from Balbriggan in north Dublin, said: 'With my stroke and aphasia, it was hard to suddenly be separated from my children because I couldn't talk and I was on a lot of medication. 'When I was in hospital, it was so hard because I couldn't see my children, Emily, now 13, and Alfie.' Her first symptom of stroke, four days after returning home with Alfie, was a headache and she later lost feeling in her right arm and leg before her face began to droop. Ms Kenny's fiance, Paul, phoned for an ambulance and a brain scan revealed she had experienced a haemorrhagic stroke. She underwent brain surgery and again two months later, to replace her skull bone. Due to complications including pneumonia and seizure, it would be seven months before Lisa she could return home from the National Rehabilitation Hospital, where she worked with occupational, physical and speech and language therapists. Advertisement 'Now, I'm OK with speaking and talking, it's 50/50. I have got back to normal texting, which is huge for my communication,' she said. As a result of her aphasia, she could not return to work. Lisa uses Irish Heart Foundation supports to aid her recovery, including the Young Stroke Survivors Network, the Life after Stroke private Facebook group, the Aphasia-Friendly Cafe and the Rhythm of Recovery Choir. 'I continue to push and challenge myself and just try to stay positive,' she said. 'I keep going, keep strong and healthy, for Emily and Alfie. 'I choose to laugh, love and be happy because life keeps going on and I will always have them with me. 'My speech and language and physiotherapy are the key, too.' She is working with the national charity to improve her comprehension, reading and maths. Helen Gaynor, head of community support services with the charity, said: 'The Irish Heart Foundation offers a variety of support services for people living with the life changing effects of a stroke, including the challenges of aphasia. 'Our stroke connect service and peer support groups are available to anyone who has experienced a stroke, and those living with aphasia. 'Our Step by Step through Stroke booklet, a helpful guide for stroke survivors, families and carers, helps people to prepare for potential changes due to stroke, such as communication difficulties.' For more information on aphasia support, and other supports for anyone affected by heart disease or stroke, visit
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
‘I keep going… for Emily and Alfie' – Mother details shock of life-changing stroke just days after son was born
Lisa Kenny (42) was separated from her family for seven months after the crippling health emergency derailed the joy of welcoming baby Alfie in October 2019. She now lives with aphasia, an acquired language disorder that often occurs following brain injury, such as stroke. She spoke about her experience as part of Aphasia Awareness Month. Aphasia affects the understanding of spoken or written language, including reading and writing or the production of spoken language. Ms Kenny, from Balbriggan in north Dublin, said: 'With my stroke and aphasia, it was hard to suddenly be separated from my children because I couldn't talk and I was on a lot of medication. 'When I was in hospital, it was so hard because I couldn't see my children, Emily, now 13, and Alfie.' Her first symptom of stroke, four days after returning home with Alfie, was a headache and she later lost feeling in her right arm and leg before her face began to droop. Ms Kenny's fiance, Paul, phoned for an ambulance and a brain scan revealed she had experienced a haemorrhagic stroke. She underwent brain surgery and then again two months later, to replace her skull bone. Due to complications including pneumonia and seizure, it would be seven months before Lisa could return home from the National Rehabilitation Hospital, where she worked with occupational, physical and speech and language therapists. 'Now, I'm okay with speaking and talking, it's 50/50. I have got back to normal texting, which is huge for my communication,' she said. As a result of her aphasia, she could not return to work. Lisa uses Irish Heart Foundation supports to aid her recovery, including the Young Stroke Survivors Network, the Life after Stroke private Facebook group, the Aphasia-Friendly Cafe and the Rhythm of Recovery Choir. 'I continue to push and challenge myself and just try to stay positive,' she said. 'I keep going, keep strong and healthy, for Emily and Alfie. 'I choose to laugh, love and be happy because life keeps going on and I will always have them with me. When I was in hospital, it was so hard because I couldn't see my children, Emily, now 13, and Alfie Lisa Kenny 'My speech and language and physiotherapy are the key, too.' She is working with the national charity to improve her comprehension, reading and maths. Helen Gaynor, head of community support services with the charity, said: 'The Irish Heart Foundation offers a variety of support services for people living with the life changing effects of a stroke, including the challenges of aphasia. 'Our stroke connect service and peer support groups are available to anyone who has experienced a stroke, and those living with aphasia. 'Our Step by Step through Stroke booklet, a helpful guide for stroke survivors, families and carers, helps people to prepare for potential changes due to stroke, such as communication difficulties.' For more information on aphasia support, and other supports for anyone affected by heart disease or stroke, visit
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Health
- Sunday World
Mother relives shock of life-changing stroke just days after son was born
Lisa Kenny, 42, was separated from her family for seven months after the crippling health emergency derailed the joy of welcoming baby Alfie in October 2019 Lisa Kenny has spoken for the first time about her experience of stroke, just four days after she brought her new baby, Alfie, home (Emma Kenny/PA) A mum has relived the shock of a life-changing stroke just days after she brought her newborn son home from hospital. Lisa Kenny, 42, was separated from her family for seven months after the crippling health emergency derailed the joy of welcoming baby Alfie in October 2019. She now lives with aphasia, an acquired language disorder that often occurs following brain injury, such as stroke. She spoke about her experience as part of Aphasia Awareness Month. Aphasia affects the understanding of spoken or written language, including reading and writing or the production of spoken language. Mother of two Lisa Kenny, 42, pictured with baby Alfie in hospital after suffering a stroke within a week of his birth in 2019. Picture: Emma Kenny. Ms Kenny, from Balbriggan in north Dublin, said: 'With my stroke and aphasia, it was hard to suddenly be separated from my children because I couldn't talk and I was on a lot of medication. 'When I was in hospital, it was so hard because I couldn't see my children, Emily, now 13, and Alfie.' Her first symptom of stroke, four days after returning home with Alfie, was a headache and she later lost feeling in her right arm and leg before her face began to droop. Ms Kenny's fiance, Paul, phoned for an ambulance and a brain scan revealed she had experienced a haemorrhagic stroke. She underwent brain surgery and again two months later, to replace her skull bone. Due to complications including pneumonia and seizure, it would be seven months before Lisa she could return home from the National Rehabilitation Hospital, where she worked with occupational, physical and speech and language therapists. 'Now, I'm OK with speaking and talking, it's 50/50. I have got back to normal texting, which is huge for my communication,' she said. As a result of her aphasia, she could not return to work. Lisa uses Irish Heart Foundation supports to aid her recovery, including the Young Stroke Survivors Network, the Life after Stroke private Facebook group, the Aphasia-Friendly Cafe and the Rhythm of Recovery Choir. 'I continue to push and challenge myself and just try to stay positive,' she said. 'I keep going, keep strong and healthy, for Emily and Alfie. Lisa Kenny has spoken for the first time about her experience of stroke, just four days after she brought her new baby, Alfie, home (Emma Kenny/PA) News in 90 Seconds - June 29th 'I choose to laugh, love and be happy because life keeps going on and I will always have them with me. 'My speech and language and physiotherapy are the key, too.' She is working with the national charity to improve her comprehension, reading and maths. Helen Gaynor, head of community support services with the charity, said: 'The Irish Heart Foundation offers a variety of support services for people living with the life changing effects of a stroke, including the challenges of aphasia. 'Our stroke connect service and peer support groups are available to anyone who has experienced a stroke, and those living with aphasia. 'Our Step by Step through Stroke booklet, a helpful guide for stroke survivors, families and carers, helps people to prepare for potential changes due to stroke, such as communication difficulties.' For more information on aphasia support, and other supports for anyone affected by heart disease or stroke, visit
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish mum relives shock of life-changing stroke just days after son was born
A mum has relived the shock of a life-changing stroke just days after she brought her newborn son home from hospital. Lisa Kenny, 42, was separated from her family for seven months after the crippling health emergency derailed the joy of welcoming baby Alfie in October 2019. She now lives with aphasia, an acquired language disorder that often occurs following brain injury, such as stroke. She spoke about her experience as part of Aphasia Awareness Month. Aphasia affects the understanding of spoken or written language, including reading and writing or the production of spoken language. Ms Kenny, from Balbriggan in north Dublin, said: 'With my stroke and aphasia, it was hard to suddenly be separated from my children because I couldn't talk and I was on a lot of medication. 'When I was in hospital, it was so hard because I couldn't see my children, Emily, now 13, and Alfie.' Her first symptom of stroke, four days after returning home with Alfie, was a headache and she later lost feeling in her right arm and leg before her face began to droop. Ms Kenny's fiance, Paul, phoned for an ambulance and a brain scan revealed she had experienced a haemorrhagic stroke. She underwent brain surgery and again two months later, to replace her skull bone. Due to complications including pneumonia and seizure, it would be seven months before Lisa she could return home from the National Rehabilitation Hospital, where she worked with occupational, physical and speech and language therapists. 'Now, I'm OK with speaking and talking, it's 50/50. I have got back to normal texting, which is huge for my communication,' she said. As a result of her aphasia, she could not return to work. Lisa uses Irish Heart Foundation supports to aid her recovery, including the Young Stroke Survivors Network, the Life after Stroke private Facebook group, the Aphasia-Friendly Cafe and the Rhythm of Recovery Choir. 'I continue to push and challenge myself and just try to stay positive,' she said. 'I keep going, keep strong and healthy, for Emily and Alfie. 'I choose to laugh, love and be happy because life keeps going on and I will always have them with me. 'My speech and language and physiotherapy are the key, too.' She is working with the national charity to improve her comprehension, reading and maths. Helen Gaynor, head of community support services with the charity, said: 'The Irish Heart Foundation offers a variety of support services for people living with the life changing effects of a stroke, including the challenges of aphasia. 'Our stroke connect service and peer support groups are available to anyone who has experienced a stroke, and those living with aphasia. 'Our Step by Step through Stroke booklet, a helpful guide for stroke survivors, families and carers, helps people to prepare for potential changes due to stroke, such as communication difficulties.' For more information on aphasia support, and other supports for anyone affected by heart disease or stroke, visit
