Cheshire mum who had stroke at 36 finds activity that's 'given me my life back'

A Cheshire mum who suffered a stroke at 36 says paddleboarding has helped her regain movement, improve her mental health and find a new purpose in life.

Farah, who lives in Warrington, had the stroke in December 2022. It left her with weakness on her left side, speech difficulties and ongoing mobility problems.

She was initially hesitant about taking to the water, but encouragement from her ex-partner persuaded her to try paddleboarding. Her former partner had served in the Army and was medically discharged because of injuries.

Farah now paddleboards every week on lakes and canals across Cheshire and North Wales. Because of her mobility difficulties, she paddles from a seated position.

She often goes out with friends, her partner or her children. Farah said being on the water gave her a break from the pressures of everyday life and helped her regain some use of her left side.

She also said paddleboarding had supported her mental health after a difficult period following the stroke.

“I had a stroke at 36 years old, I was then suicidal at one point, so I bought a board and went out on a river, and it’s given me the best help mentally and physically,” she said.

Farah said the activity had helped her use the left side of her body again and provided an outlet while she continued to deal with the effects of the stroke.

“Paddleboarding has had such a positive impact on my life because it got me to start being able to use my left side and helped with my mental health issues,” she said.

“I live for the water now and have a new purpose in life.”

Farah added that she had struggled to find suitable help as someone who had experienced a stroke before the age of 40.

“Thanks to paddleboarding, I have a new outlet in life, and because there isn’t any help for people under 40 who have strokes, paddleboarding has given me my life back,” she said.

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