At 33 years old, Becki never imagined she would hear the words: “You’ve had a stroke.” As a health and fitness coach, wellbeing wasn’t just part of her career - it shaped her whole identity. Fit, active and healthy, Becki had spent years helping others prioritise their health while building the family she and her husband James had long dreamed of. 

After overcoming fertility challenges through IVF, the couple welcomed their first “miracle baby”, daughter Aréya. Then, in April 2026, their family finally felt complete when their second IVF baby, Beau, was born. 

But just three weeks later, everything changed. 

‘You’ve had a stroke’

One April morning, Becki was enjoying an ordinary morning at home with James and their children. Sitting on the sofa, she was breastfeeding three-week-old Beau while playing with Aréya when, without warning, something felt wrong. 

Becki said: “My hand suddenly started spasming. It was such a strange feeling. Instantly, I knew something wasn't right. Holding Beau, panic swept through me. I shouted for James. I remember saying, ‘Something is wrong.’ ” 

Her first instinct was to make sure Beau was safe. 

Becki said: “As I stood up, I knew my legs weren't strong enough to hold me. I could feel them giving way beneath me. I slowly collapsed to the floor while still holding Beau.” 

“James rushed into the room. I looked at him and said, ‘I feel like I’m having a stroke.’ It felt ridiculous even as I said it - I remember thinking, why would I be having a stroke? But I couldn’t ignore the fact that it was exactly what it felt like.” 

James initially tried to reassure her, but quickly realised something was seriously wrong and called 999. 

Within 15 minutes, paramedics arrived and rushed Becki to hospital. By the time she arrived, the entire left side of her body was paralysed. 

When doctors finally confirmed the diagnosis, Becki’s world fell apart. 

Becki said: “I remember hearing the words, ‘You’ve had a stroke,’ and everything came crashing down.” 

“A part of motherhood was taken away from me”

“The early days with my baby were robbed from me. Instead of bonding with my newborn and settling into life with two children, I was learning how to survive a stroke. A part of motherhood was taken away from me. I felt lost. I felt alone. I felt completely useless to my children and my husband.

“The simplest moments became impossible. I needed help changing nappies, feeding Beau, holding my babies and even going to the toilet. There were times people had to help me do the most basic things. I needed help to hug my children.”

“Recovery is hard, but I’m determined to keep moving forward”

Five days after her stroke, Becki was discharged home, but life looked very different. Instead of enjoying those precious first weeks with her newborn, she was navigating motherhood while living with left-sided paralysis. 

Every day brought new challenges, but Becki refused to let the stroke define her. 

“I realised very quickly that I couldn't control what had happened. But I could control how I responded to it. This mindset became my driving force. The only way out is through. There is light at the end of the tunnel. I've had to accept that recovery is uncomfortable. I need to feel uncomfortable if I want to get through it.”

Today, Becki continues her recovery while caring for Aréya and Beau. She has also received support from the Stroke Association after being contacted by a Stroke Support Coordinator who reached out to offer guidance and help. 

Although she continues to make progress, many questions remain unanswered. Doctors are still investigating exactly why Becki had her stroke. 

Becki said: “I still don't know why it happened. I was young, fit, healthy and active. Now I want others to understand that stroke can happen to anyone.”

“If someone had asked me before my stroke who gets stroke, I probably would have had a completely different picture in my head.” 

But stroke doesn't discriminate. In a single moment, my entire life changed. And now every small thing I can do again - every step, every cuddle, every nappy change - feels like a victory. 

Recovery is hard, but I'm determined to keep moving forward. For my children. For my husband. For myself.” 

Becki is now setting herself an extraordinary goal that once felt unimaginable - running the London Marathon in 2027. In an extraordinary twist of fate, Becki had her stroke on the same day the London Marathon took place in April 2026. Later that day, lying in her hospital bed unable to walk and facing an uncertain future, she watched thousands of runners crossing the finish line on the television. In that moment, she made herself a promise: one day, she would be there too.

Becki said: "Running has become so much more than exercise. Every step reminds me how far I've come. There are days when it feels incredibly hard, but I know recovery isn't about rushing - it's about refusing to stop."