Stroke Survivor: 'Broke My Heart' Not Holding Newborn

A 26-year-old mother, Paige Carr, suffered a devastating stroke just two weeks after the birth of her daughter Isla in July 2025. Initially experiencing headaches she attributed to a sinus infection, her condition rapidly worsened, leading to vision loss and paralysis in her right arm and leg.

She was admitted to Arrowe Park Hospital in Birkenhead, where scans revealed a pulmonary embolism and a blood clot in her brain causing the stroke. Paige, who also has two older children, found it heartbreaking to be unable to hold her newborn daughter during her initial recovery.

Emergency surgery in September 2025 was necessary to relieve swelling behind her eyes and prevent blindness. Despite regaining physical movement relatively quickly, Paige continues to battle daily fatigue and the mental impact of her stroke, which is not always visible to others.

Now 27, Paige is focusing on her recovery, attending physiotherapy, and plans to start counselling. She is also participating in a 5K run to raise funds for the Stroke Association, aiming to make up for lost time and be the best version of herself for her children.