'I woke up with my brain on fire and unable to speak aged just 22 after stroke'

21 January 2024 , 13:35

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'I woke up with my brain on fire and unable to speak aged just 22 after stroke'

A woman has shared her terrifying experience of waking up feeling as though her 'brain was on fire' and unable to speak after suffering a sudden stroke at just 22 years old.

Courtney Gabrus, who was born with a rare form of muscular dystrophy, woke up with her "brain on fire " and found she had lost the ability to speak, write and use her right arm. Courtney, from Long Island, New York, said: "Waking up and being unable to talk felt like a nightmare."

She added: "It was undoubtedly the darkest day of my life. It changed my life forever." Before the stroke, she was living independently for the first time in her junior year of college studying psychology at her dream school.

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Courtney Gabrus shares videos about living with MD and recovering from a stroke (Jam Press Vid/@courtneygabrus)

The brave young woman has had to relearn how to do everything from scratch since the stroke (Jam Press Vid/@courtneygabrus)

She shared: "Two days before I had the stroke, I visited the emergency room with heart attack symptoms. The hospital insisted on overnight observation because of my MD, but they weren't overly concerned.

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"I spent a day and a half in the hospital. Given my health condition, I didn't pay much attention to it. I went to sleep on the second day eager to return home. I woke up three days later surrounded by my family.

"My aunt explained that I had suffered a severe stroke and had been in a coma. I was completely bewildered and without a clear understanding of the severity or how it had transpired. The expressions on the faces of my friends and family added to the gravity of the situation."

The reason behind Courtney's stroke is still a mystery, but she felt like her brain was "on fire", she recalled. After the stroke, she couldn't talk, write, or use her right arm.

Courtney with her partner and mum (Jam Press/@courtneygabrus)

Courtney now aged 29 (Jam Press/@courtneygabrus)

She added: "The entire experience was incredibly frightening and isolating. I spent about a week and a half in the ICU, followed by three weeks in rehab. Worse than the physical injuries was surviving the depression that the stroke left behind. It was like I had to adapt to this whole new world."

Courtney worked hard for three years on physical and speech therapy to get better at talking and using her arm, all while her MD got worse. Speaking on her experiences, she shared: "I am immensely proud of my determination and resilience. Every day for three years was an uphill battle. I had to move back to New York and leave behind the life I cherished in Florida."

In hospital after her stroke at the age of 22 (Jam Press/@courtneygabrus)

She was born with a rare form of muscular dystrophy (MD) (Jam Press/@courtneygabrus)

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Reflecting on the changes, she said: "The progression of this illness makes every day different, and reflecting on the independence I enjoyed in my earlier years is a poignant reminder of the changes that have taken place."

Proudly, she stated: "I not only reclaimed my voice, defying doctors' expectations, but I also secured my dream job as a graphic designer after self-studying graphic design for the four years following my stroke."

Courtney started her own firm, Life Outside the Lines, making inclusive colouring books for kids. Adding on, she said: "This is a representation of the community I wished for during my own childhood. Living with muscular dystrophy is truly a rollercoaster of emotions. It's tough to cope with the scarcity of information and resources, given that this condition is so uncommon perhaps affecting only around 200 people."

Despite doctors predicting she wouldn’t live past 16, the now-29-year-old was thriving (Jam Press/@courtneygabrus)

She continued: "Seeking medical help often feels like being in uncharted territory, and the lack of awareness can make doctor visits an isolating experience. Each day presents its own set of challenges, but I am profoundly grateful for the gift of my life. Despite doctors once predicting that I might not survive past 16, here I am, navigating this difficult journey at 29."

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Courtney shares her story with MD and recovering from a stroke on Instagram (@courtneygabrus). She said: "When I was younger, there was a lack of role models, especially in the absence of social media. The advent of social platforms has been a tremendous boon for connecting with my disability community.

"Fostering inclusivity within the community, understanding the diverse experiences within the disability community, and refraining from judgment are key aspects I hope to convey through my journey.

"My aspiration is for people to learn the invaluable lesson that appearances can be deceiving you can't accurately gauge someone's struggles by their exterior."

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]

Katie Dollard