Thomson mum Dianne Speed suffered a stroke 18 hours after giving birth

Just 18 hours after giving birth, Thomson mum Dianne Speed suffered a stroke, leaving her unable to walk, talk or use her right arm.

Dianne Speed (right) with her daughter Bashia. Ms Speed had a stroke 18 hours after Bashia’s birth. Picture: Alison Wynd

Dianne Speed was overjoyed when gave birth to her baby daughter, Bashia, in 1988.

But 18 hours later, while still at the Colac hospital, she suddenly found herself unable to walk, talk, use her right arm or care for her baby.

The otherwise healthy 26 year old had suffered a life-altering stroke.

“I thought I was going to die and never see my little girl grow up,” Ms Speed said.

Ms Speed, who now lives in Thomson, said it was heartbreaking that the only physical contact she could have with Bashia as a newborn was breastfeeding her with assistance.

She re-learned to walk and talk at the same time Bashia learned to walk and talk.

Ms Speed said a lack of resources in 1988 contributed to her slow recovery from the stroke.

“I was so young and no one really knew how to deal with that,” Ms Speed said.

“People don’t realise that stroke can happen to anyone, anytime and it changes your life forever. Forever.”

Dianne Speed with her daughter Bashia. Picture: Alison Wynd

More than three decades later, Ms Speed still doesn’t have use of her right hand.

She still suffers from fatigue and slower cognitive thinking.

She said everyday tasks, like meal preparation, dressing and showering, could be time consuming and tiring.

Despite this, Ms Speed said she had learnt to do most things “pretty well” on her own.

She works full time for the NDIA and delivers talks on stroke awareness through the Stroke Foundation.

Ms Speed also raised her daughter on her own from when Bashia was aged about 5.

“It was difficult to do things for her but she always took it on the chin and learnt to do things herself,” Ms Speed said.

Ms Speed said Bashia, who is now 35, was her greatest accomplishment.

“She’s strong. I raised her to be independent because I didn’t know how good or bad I could get over the years,” Ms Speed said.

“She’s always there to help me if I need a hand.

“I love her to bits.”

Dianne Speed with her jack russell dog Lotte. Picture: Alison Wynd

Stroke Foundation chief executive officer Dr Lisa Murphy said it was a common misconception that strokes only happen to the elderly.

“Stroke does not discriminate. It can happen to anyone, at any time. In fact, 24 per cent of strokes are experienced by working aged Australians” Dr Murphy said.

“Stroke touches too many Geelong families, we know an Australian has a stroke every 19 minutes. But they can be prevented and treated if you seek medical help quickly.

“Call triple-0 at the first sign of stroke. This vital action is the first step in helping someone get the time-critical medical help they need, and it gives them the best chance of a good outcome.”

Originally published as Thomson mum Dianne Speed suffered a stroke 18 hours after giving birth