Palmerston Parkrun volunteer Alison Reidy opens up on massive stroke that changed her life

Shortly after running a personal best time at Palmerston Parkrun, a fit and healthy 38-year-old woman suffered a massive stroke. This is what she wants you to know.

Coolalinga stroke survivor Alison Reidy. Picture: Supplied

Alison Reidy was a fit and healthy 38-year-old who had recently completed a personal best time in the weekly Palmerston Parkrun when stroke changed her life in February 2022.

After battling persistent headaches, fatigue and dizziness, the Virginia woman booked in to see her GP.

While in the waiting room, she lost her balance and the vision in her left eye.

She was sent straight to the emergency department, where she was told she’d had a stroke.

“It was a really challenging time in hospital, I was dealing with aphasia, mobility and cognition issues, and insomnia,” Ms Reidy said.

“I was also extremely lonely. Because of the Covid-19 lockdowns, I had no visitors for 10

days.

“I was sent to hospital rehab, but the specialists said there was no further progress to be made in that program.

“After four days, I asked to be discharged and started my own self-led rehab at home.”

Two and a half years after her stroke, Ms Reidy still does rehab every day.

“The love and support from my family has been invaluable,” she said.

“I have good and bad days, but I am so lucky to still be here and able to fulfil most of my needs myself.

“I have learned to navigate the world differently and I manage my ‘invisible impacts’ as a result of the stroke.”

Coolalinga stroke survivor Alison Reidy. Picture: Supplied

Ms Reidy has now returned to Palmerston Parkrun as a volunteer, a role she finds very rewarding.

She’s also a member of her local athletics club, founder of the Darwin Stroke Support Group, and serves the Stoke Foundation Consumer Council as a survivor advocate.

Ms Reidy is sharing her story as part of the recently concluded National Stroke Week (August 5–11) which encourages people to learn the F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech and Time) message to ensure they can save the life of a loved one if they have a stroke.

Stroke Foundation chief executive Dr Lisa Murphy said Ms Reidy is among the 2500 survivors of stroke currently living in the Northern Territory.

“Ali’s story is an example that stroke can happen to anyone, at any time,” Dr Murphy said. “When a stroke strikes, it kills up to 1.9 million brain cells per minute which is why it’s so important to get that person urgent medical attention,” Dr Murphy said.

“The faster a stroke patient gets to hospital and receives medical treatment, the better their chance of survival and successful rehabilitation.

“You can help saving a life by learning the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke.”

The signs are drooping mouth or eyes, arm weakness, and slurred speech.

If these are present, call triple-0 immediately.