INJURY GAVE SPORTY NEIL STROKE AT 13
Family tell of their pride as son fights on after paralysis to win top award
A SUPERFIT teenager has fought back after suffering a devastating stroke – aged just 13.
Now Neil Ferguson has been presented with a top award at a UK-wide Stroke Association ceremony to mark his bravery and determination.
A blood clot in the brain left Neil in intensive care fighting for his life two years ago.
Neil, from Morningside, Edinburgh – who was a top age-group rugby player and swimmer – was left with devastating injuries.
The stroke in December 2015 left him paralysed down his right side and meant he couldn’t speak for two months or even swallow. “He always wants to achieve the himself says, ‘Do your best and
The George Watson’s College best that he can and is very don’t give up’.” pupil was unable to hold his head determined. Lynne told how Neil developed up or sit unaided and had to be “Neil’s determination and a really sore neck after a tackle hoisted from his bed to a chair perseverance with all his during a school rugby match. during four months in hospital. exercises – during his official It was later discovered that he
Recalling the morning he fell ill therapy sessions and on his own had suffered a tear in his main while at home with his parents, – are what have enabled him to artery in the neck – called a Neil said: “I woke up. Got dressed. progress to where he is now. carotid artery dissection. I went downstairs. “Obviously, we would encourage A clot formed, which
“They asked me something and individuals and their families to broke off and very suddenly I couldn’t answer, and I can’t try to be as positive as they can be blocked the main artery remember anything else.” – there’s great opportunity in to one side of his brain
Describing his rehabilitation, he young brains to rewire and recover.” three weeks later – added: “I didn’t try to speak – a She added: “But we’d also strongly leading to the stroke. speech therapist said if you can’t encourage them to access the He spent more than speak then you need to use an iPad. opportunities Scottish Disability four months in hospital, I thought, ‘No, I’m going to get Sport can offer in their region, receiving physiotherapy better.’” allowing them to try out new and speech therapy.
Offering advice to others, he said: sports or be linked with clubs who Neil now has a gym “Just keep trying. Work hard on have expertise to help their child. programme to help your exercises and don’t give up.” “It may not be life as it was build strength in his
Last night, his mum Lynne spoke before but so much can be weak right side and about her pride in her son. She said: achieved in a new way. As Neil is walking with the
Neil has risen to challenges with maturity and grit help of a leg splint. His long-term goal is to be able to run again. He has been supported by the Scottish Rugby Union Welfare fund, who provided him with an adapted tricycle. He has also learnt how to canoe one-handed and kayak at Forth Canoe Club, who have provided a special paddle, and is involved with the Scottish national Paralympics team. Lynne said: “Life as a one-handed person with speech problems has its challenges, physically and socially, but Neil has never moaned, saying, ‘You can’t change what happened’.” Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association, said: “Neil is a really remarkable young man. He is young but he has risen to all the challenges he has faced with great maturity, grace and grit.”