Amelia Keam paralysed after suffering stroke following Newcastle night out

Out for a night with friends to see a band in Newcastle, a young woman has been left paralysed from the neck down after suffering a sudden stroke. Her friends are now raising funds for her recovery.

Amelia Keam (left) and Chloe Gillette (right). Amelia had a stroke in March 2025 while on a night out in Newcastle. Supplied.

A healthy young woman who was out for a fun night with friends in Newcastle has been left paralysed from the neck down after she suffered a sudden and devastating stroke.

Mental health worker Amelia Keam, from Sydney’s inner west, was the picture of health and led an active lifestyle before a tragedy struck that has now changed the 26-year-old’s life forever.

Best friend Chloe Gillette – who lives in Newcastle – said it was like any other night, heading out with friends to see a band at Newcastle’s Hamilton Station Hotel on March 22.

“Everything was fine. We went out, had three to four drinks and went to see a friend’s band,” Ms Gillette explained.

“We were dancing away and all of a sudden she (Amelia) started to feel a bit dizzy.”

Amelia Keam (front) and Chloe Gillette (left) just before heading out on March 22, 2025 in Newcastle when Amelia had a stroke and was left paralysed. Supplied.

Amelia Keam and her dad. Supplied.

That was the moment Ms Gillette’s childhood friend of 16 years quickly deteriorated, losing consciousness and going into cardiac arrest.

“Took her outside for some air and she was starting to say I can’t breathe, security came over to assist, I leaned her over my shoulder and was checking her and one of the workers approached and called an ambulance,” Ms Gillette said.

Amelia Keam (middle right) with friends. Supplied.

“She had stopped responding to me, I lifted her head up and her mouth had gone blue and she wasn’t breathing.

“As I got her down on the ground these gentleman came out of nowhere, lifesavers, and they were first responders and took over CPR which was going on for a long time.”

It was two Australian Defence Force personnel who rushed to her aid before paramedics arrived and revived Amelia as she was rushed to the John Hunter Hospital.

It’s then Ms Gillette made the harrowing calls to family about what had happened.

Amelia Keam in hospital after she suffered a stroke on a night out in Newcastle in March 2022. Supplied.

“Once I had seen her face was blue that freaked me out and I didn’t know what was wrong. It was quite a frantic situation,” Ms Gillette said.

“The first responders were really helpful to stop the panic.”

At the hospital the 26-year-old was placed in an induced coma to stabilise her condition where friends and family were faced with the devastating news.

“Amelia’s diagnosis is one of the most challenging anyone can face,” Ms Gillette said.

“While her condition is unique, it is most similar to locked-in syndrome, with some nuances.

Amelia is fully conscious and aware, but paralysed from the neck down, and able to communicate only by mouthing words and eye movements.

She cannot speak because a ventilator is breathing for her.

Her diagnosis has come as a shock to her loved ones.

“She’s very healthy in what she eats, exercises almost every day – it’s so bizarre, you wouldn’t expect it from someone so healthy,” Ms Gillette said.

“Active most of her life played netball, she runs, she’s a healthy person.

“She has been so good, still making jokes and being positive in such a hard situation. I admire her strength.”

Despite the severity of her condition, there is hope for Amelia and recovery through intensive rehabilitation.

“Depending of her level of movement, level of care will be very costly, it will depend how well she improves in hospital and the doctors haven’t given a timeline but said brace yourself for the long game,” Ms Gillette explained.

Spinal rehabilitation will be critical to helping Amelia to regain as much function as possible after her spinal injury, with early intervention essential to reduce her stay in hospital.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Amelia, who is facing mounting medical bills.

“No matter how big or small, any donation will make a meaningful difference and help alleviate some of the financial burden on Amelia and her family, allowing her to focus on what’s most important which is her healing,” Ms Gillett said.

The Hamilton Station Hotel is also planning to host a charity fundraiser for Amelia next month.

Originally published as Amelia Keam paralysed after suffering stroke following Newcastle night out