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Model's Life Changed by Rare Brain AVM Stroke
26 Oct
Summary
- A rare brain AVM caused a catastrophic bleed after a rollercoaster ride.
- Saskia Bishop, 22, struggled to speak and walk after the incident.
- She is now helping other young stroke survivors find support.
A day at the theme park turned into a nightmare for 22-year-old Saskia Bishop when a rollercoaster ride triggered a rare brain bleed. Initially experiencing severe head pressure, her condition rapidly deteriorated, leaving her struggling to speak and violently vomiting. Doctors diagnosed a ruptured arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a condition she was born with.
Saskia's prognosis was dire; doctors estimated a 95% chance of severe disability or death. A seven-and-a-half-hour craniotomy on May 2 removed the AVM, but her recovery involved relearning to walk and speak due to aphasia.
She endured nine months of debilitating neurological fatigue and heightened sensitivity to light and noise. Despite the challenges, Saskia is actively supporting other young stroke survivors and reconsidering her career towards helping charities.
Now 24, Saskia embraces her new reality, recognizing that full recovery isn't possible but finding purpose in advocating for better psychological support for stroke survivors. Her journey, documented in Channel 4's 'Trauma: My Broken Brain,' highlights the isolating experience of young stroke survivors.
