Life-Altering Stroke at 26
Mererid Rees, a performer based in Dubai, experienced a sudden and dramatic change in her life when she suffered a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) rupture at the age of 26. While having breakfast with friends, she went from "laughing to screaming" as she lost movement on the right side of her body.
She was rushed to hospital and spent 10 days in an intensive care unit.
Mererid’s sister, Sioned Allan, who was in Wales at the time, was informed that Mererid urgently required surgery to survive.
"They found an AVM and a burst aneurysm, and then they found an aneurysm that was just about to burst," Mererid said.
"[It] still blows my mind that someone operated on my brain."
Understanding AVM and Stroke
An AVM rupture occurs when a tangle of abnormal blood vessels in the brain bursts, causing bleeding into the surrounding brain tissue. AVMs are generally congenital but can also develop later in life. Many individuals, like Mererid, show no symptoms until bleeding leads to a stroke.
After leaving Dubai, Mererid spent six months on the stroke ward at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen, undergoing physically and mentally demanding rehabilitation to relearn walking and adapt to daily activities.
Although her walking has improved significantly, she still experiences limited sensation on the right side of her body.
"I had radiotherapy, that's to get rid of the AVM, but it takes five years to get rid of," she explained.
"That kills healthy cells off, so I've lost my right-hand-side eyesight.
I've lost the peripheral vision, so yeah pretty, pretty blind."
Mererid highlighted the isolation young stroke survivors often feel, as it can be difficult for able-bodied people to understand their experiences.
"It's just so important for people to know that there are other people in the same boat as them" and "important for people to find people that get it," she said.
Friendship and Support Among Young Stroke Survivors
Mererid met Cari Davies, 28, at Glangwili Hospital after a nurse mentioned another young patient was admitted.
Cari, a former teacher from Carmarthen, was initially diagnosed with Lupus before suffering a stroke in February 2022 and spending a month in hospital.
"She was really poorly, so I didn't want to intrude but I wanted to help her out. So I gave her an affirmation card," Mererid recalled.
Affirmation cards contain positive messages and are given as a gesture of support.
Cari said: "I was really negative, it was just really awful and I was just crying all the time, but Mererid was a beacon of positivity - we've just built a friendship from there."
The two later connected with Nia Tyler, 27, through social media. Nia suffered a stroke at 20 after initially believing she was hungover.
Nia, a professional singer living in Cardiff, felt isolated after her stroke while studying psychology at university in 2019.
"I've now got friends who were in a super similar situation, and we're all stroke survivors.
Even though our stories are very different, there's... some unwritten understanding that there's some kind of sisterhood amongst the three of us.
My relationship with Cari and Mez does mean a lot."
Challenges and Achievements
In May, the three women climbed 200 steps of the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, an experience Mererid described as a reminder that recovery involves rebuilding confidence as well as physical ability.
Stroke Statistics and Medical Insights
Shakeel Ahmad, national clinical lead for stroke in Wales, stated that approximately 10,000 to 20,000 people under 50 experience a stroke annually in the UK, representing 10-15% of all strokes.
"Around one in every 150 strokes occurs in someone under the age of 20," he added.
Ahmad emphasized the importance of rapid hospital arrival, as some patients can receive clot-busting medication (thrombolysis) or clot removal treatment (thrombectomy) within a critical four to six hour window.
In younger patients, strokes are often linked to underlying medical conditions, blood clotting disorders, or vascular abnormalities.
"Recognising the signs of stroke using FAST [face, arms, speech, time] and calling emergency services immediately can save lives and reduce long-term disability," he said.
Upcoming Event for Young Stroke Survivors
The three women plan to host an event in October for young stroke survivors at The Angel Hotel in Cardiff.
Mererid noted that many people from across the UK and the US have expressed interest, wishing for similar support near them.
The event aims to celebrate their journeys and provide a platform for connection among young stroke survivors.
Their fundraiser has raised over £2,000 to support the event.
Katie Chappelle, associate director for Wales at the Stroke Association, commented: "Community events like this can play a vital role in helping people rebuild confidence, reduce isolation and realise that life after stroke is still possible."
