Hello, I’m Jess and I am desperately asking for help for my brother, James.

Last June, James had an unexpected stroke at the young age of 36, whilst walking home from work. Although he was picked up by an ambulance, the stroke wasn’t treated for another 12 hours which left James in a very bad state.

We made the life-saving decision for James to have a craniectomy (part of his skull removed), to stop further brain damage due to swelling.

James pulled through the operation, however we were told he likely would never walk or be able to communicate again.

The next few months he spent between Deriford hospital, then Treliske hospital, and eventually on to the stroke rehabilitation unit at Redruth. He spent 5 months there, and because of James’ fight and the amazing physios, he learnt to walk using a stick.

James has no movement in his right arm or hand at all. His walking with his stick is ok, it’s slow and he needs close supervision at all times, but he manages about 20 metres before needing to rest.

Due to the stroke, James has been left with severe aphasia - he struggles to understand what is being said to him, and struggles to respond - he can say very few words, and they don’t always mean what he wants them to.

Unfortunately, after being discharged from Redruth, James has had to move to a care home as he has 24 hour care needs. Since leaving the rehabilitation unit, his therapy input has dropped drastically. He now only has NHS funded therapy for around 2 hours a week.

I have found a wonderful private neuro-physiotherapist, who has already had a positive impact on James after only spending 2 weeks with him. However - at £105 per session, it means financially I can only afford one session a week.

James really deserves so much more, he is the kindest, most gentle soul. He has always been so hard working and has never brought harm to anyone. He only has myself and our dad, and although we are with him most days, we are desperately wanting more for him.

My aim is to have private physio and speech therapy for James as often as possible to give him the best chance at recovery, and a better future, hopefully in his own assisted living home. He’s 36 - I really don’t want to imagine this is how he will spend the rest of his life.

If you can, please share this and donate if you are able. I appreciate you so much just for reading this far!

Thank you,

Jess xx