On February 28, 2022, primary school student Hugh Proud was playing with friends and running around the school yard during lunch break when a teacher noticed something was not right.
His mother, Narelle, who was working at the school at the time, says it is a day she will never forget.
"I noticed he was confused, unaware of his surroundings and he said he could not lift his right leg. That's when we knew something was not right."
The grade two pupil was flown by the Royal Flying Doctor Service to Queensland Children's Hospital where scans revealed he had a stroke.
"I had a little breakdown. It was very overwhelming. I didn't think it could be a stroke. I was also in shock going from having a kid who is running around to a kid who lost use of the right side of his body and can't walk, write or hold a pen anymore," Narelle said.
But, after weeks of rehabilitation, Hugh learnt how to walk again and regained the use the right side of his body. Not only was he able to hold a pen again, but he used his writing to send a powerful message.
This year, he shared his story with fellow students in a school leader election speech, spreading the message that living with a disability does not mean you cannot achieve your goals.
In it he wrote, 'One of the main reasons I want to be your leader is to show everyone that even if you face challenges in life, or have a disability, you can still make a difference in the world and be a leader.'
Hugh was elected Dalby State School Vice-Captain; a milestone his parents are proud of.
"It was very emotional for all of us. I'm proud of him that he has shown such resilience to achieve things that he never thought was possible."
Childhood stroke is among the ten leading causes of death in children and, every year. Around 120 babies and 400 children, like Hugh, have a stroke every year, and around half of all survivors will go on to experience some degree of long-term impairment.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa Murphy, says most Australians do not know that babies and children can have strokes.
"Stroke doesn't discriminate- it affects people of all ages, including the youngest and most vulnerable members of our community. The best thing parents can do is be aware and learn to recognise the symptoms and signs of stroke."
As part of Childhood Stroke Awareness Week (March 2-8), Stroke Foundation is urging Aussie families and health professionals to arm themselves with important information on how stroke impacts infants and children.
"Stroke presents itself in many different ways in children, but symptoms can include seizures and extreme sleepiness (in babies), and, in older children, weakness or numbness in the face, arm or leg, difficulty talking or swallowing, dizziness, and severe or unusual headaches," Dr Murphy said.
