Rachel Corbally suffered a severe stroke at just 47 years of age.

On the day of her stroke she remembers reading a text and then suddenly falling to the floor unable to get back on her feet. Thankfully for Rachel, her son recognised the F.A.S.T. signs of a stroke and called an ambulance instantly.

When Rachel awoke after her life-saving thrombectomy treatment, her biggest relief was that she could move both her arms to hug her children.
“I woke up in the hospital, and my two kids were sitting to the left of me, and they were looking terrified. I could just see the relief on their faces and then they just hugged me.”

Rachel remained in Naas Hospital for five days, and while she physically recovered well from the stroke, the psychological toll was more difficult.

Rachel, who is now living in Spain, said her stroke experience has taught her to slow down and look after herself. She is a great believer in carving out some time for herself every day to sit with a coffee or read a book.