MUM’S PRIDE
Teenage actor’s stroke aged 16
A Maidstone mum has described the devastating moment she found her 16-year-old son collapsed in his bedroom after a life-changing stroke.
Fiona Garland first grew concerned when James didn’t attend what should have been his firstever job interview in October.
Arriving home, she found the New Line Learning Academy pupil slumped in his chair, unable to speak or move his right side.
The Finglesham Court dinner lady said: “He was conscious but not able to speak to me.
“At first I thought he was having me on as he has that sort of personality where he mucks around a lot. I had the phone in my hand saying to him that I was ringing the ambulance – when he didn’t respond I knew something was wrong.”
James was taken to Maidstone Hospital, where doctors found a blood clot in his brain and he became the youngest new addition to the stroke ward.
But just two weeks later he was back at school and seven months later the deputy head boy’s recovery is almost complete.
Mrs Garland added: “James now has to be on blood thinners for the rest of his life.
“Two weeks after his stroke James was back at school doing a normal daily routine. It’s incredible how he has recovered so well.
“He still has a bit of physio to help his right hand that still isn’t good, but other than that he is my son again.”
“I am so proud of both of them and especially proud of James for coming back to us.”
Now 17, James hopes to pursue a career in acting and in July will be performing at Maidstone’s Hazlitt Theatre in a play about his ordeal and recovery.
He said: “I hope people take the message away what can happen during a stroke and what happens afterwards.
“I’d like to thank my drama teacher Jamie Minshull, who inspired me to continue with drama, as well as the rest of the performing arts team at New Line Learning Academy. I’d also like to say thanks to my mum and all the family who helped me.”
The play will take place on Friday, July 15, in the evening.