Croudace Bay local Nikki says she will never forget the day her life changed forever.
On March 19 2024, Nikki 52, was struck by what she thought was a severe migraine. She endured hours of relentless pain before stepping into a cryotherapy chamber that evening with her husband Matt, hoping the treatment would bring some relief. But it was there that Matt noticed that something far more serious was unfolding.
Minutes later Nikki collapsed, and Matt called an ambulance. By the time she arrived at hospital, the whole left side of her body was paralysed. Nikki had suffered a large haemorrhagic stroke in the basal ganglia.
"I honestly felt like I was dying," Nikki said. "We didn't know the signs of stroke - I thought it was just a terrible migraine. If we had known, we might have acted sooner. Stroke can happen to anyone, but I never thought it would happen to me."
Since then, Nikki has faced months of gruelling rehabilitation, supported by her husband, close friends and local health teams. She continues weekly therapy and faces ongoing challenges, including flat affect (loss of facial expression), short-term memory loss, and changes to her sense of taste that have taken away her joy of cooking. Yet, Nikki remains determined to turn her experience into something that helps others.
A fortnight ago, Nikki organised a Paint N Sip fundraiser at her local bowling club, raising more than $4,500 for the Stroke Foundation to kick off her Stride4Stroke campaign.
Despite recovering from recent surgery and currently wearing a moon boot, she plans to walk alongside her husband and three close friends to raise awareness and vital funds.
Stroke Foundation CEO Dr Lisa Murphy said Nikki's story highlights why it's so important for the community to know the signs of stroke and support initiatives like Stride4Stroke.
"One in four people will experience stroke in our lifetime, yet too many Australians still don't recognise the warning signs," Dr Murphy said. "Nikki's story is a powerful reminder that stroke can strike at any age. It is important to know that in women, strokes are also more likely to present with symptoms outside the classic Face, Arms and Speech changes - such as migraine, nausea, confusion, loss of balance or fatigue. By sharing the stroke awareness message, you could save the life of someone you love."
For Nikki, taking part in Stride4Stroke is about giving back and preventing other families from going through what she has.
"Stroke has changed my life forever, but raising awareness gives me purpose," she said. "If sharing my story helps even one person act faster or take stroke seriously, then it's worth it."
Nikki today at the Paint n Sip fundraising event she organised
Stroke Foundation is encouraging people across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie to join Nikki in Stride4Stroke this September by moving your own way, whether it's walking, running, cycling or swimming, and raising funds to fight stroke.
To support Nikki or register for Stride4Stroke, visit https://www.stride4stroke.org.au/
About Stride4Stroke
Stride4Stroke is Stroke Foundation's biggest annual fundraiser, challenging Australians to set a personal 'Moving Minutes' goal and get active their own way throughout September - walking, running, swimming, dancing or riding - to help prevent stroke, save lives and support the 440,000 stroke survivors in our community.
Stride4Stroke 2025 is proudly supported by: Australian Physiotherapy Association, Compassion Care Network and Precision Group.
