Tina spent seven months in hospital and will be recovering for the rest of her life
A fit and healthy young paramedic who just got home from brunch with a friend was suddenly hit by an intense headache that lasted 60 seconds – then found everything had changed. Tina Holt, who was 21, said: “I had a brief headache that lasted just a minute. I sat down and noticed I couldn’t swipe my phone screen to unlock it.”
Her friend, who was also a paramedic, quickly noticed something was wrong. She asked Tina to smile, but Tina couldn’t move her face. When she tried to stand, she collapsed after just two steps. Her body wouldn’t respond, and she was unable to speak or move. “While lying on the floor, I vomited, fully conscious but unable to do anything,” Tina said. “My friend immediately called my parents and dialled for an ambulance.” Despite Tina’s friend’s assurance that she hadn’t taken any drugs, the paramedics initially suspected an overdose. During the journey to the hospital, Tina’s condition deteriorated further, and she lost consciousness. A CT scan revealed a severe brain bleed, and she was urgently airlifted to the ICU. Doctors informed her family that she might not survive and, if she did, there would likely be lasting impacts.
Tina remained unconscious for five days, spent ten days in the ICU, and was ultimately hospitalised for seven months. Her treatment involved several life-saving measures, including the installation of a cerebrospinal fluid drain to relieve pressure. However, the bleeding in her brainstem was too extensive for surgery. “I relied on a feeding tube for more than three months and underwent various procedures over the years, such as a thalamotomy, facial nerve and muscle transfers, and multiple surgeries on my left eye,” she explained. “Recovery was not just about surviving – it was about relearning how to live.
“Physically, the stroke left me with significant challenges. I was paralysed on one side and unable to speak, eat, or move without help. Fatigue became a constant battle, and I developed a rare tremor on my right side that made everyday tasks, like drinking water, feel impossible. I had to rebuild my strength and relearn basic movements to regain some semblance of independence.” The emotional impact of the stroke in 2016 was just as devastating as the physical effects. As a once fit and energetic paramedic, the contrast between her former self and her current condition was stark. “I had dreams of becoming a doctor after my time as a paramedic,” Tina noted.
“But the stroke changed the course of my future. The hardest part for me was accepting that my rehabilitation would likely be a lifelong journey. I had initially believed I could make a full recovery within two years, but nearly a decade later, I’m still working hard to overcome the stroke’s effects.” Another challenging aspect of her experience is confronting “rude stares” and “hurtful comments”. “I sometimes get the odd stare and feel isolated from my community. People often avoid talking to me directly or assume I can’t understand because of my physical appearance,” she explained.
“But stroke survivors want to be treated like everyone else. Yes, I might use a wheelchair and have difficulty speaking, but I’m still capable of meaningful communication and relationships.” Despite everything, Tina is proud of how far she has come. Her recovery has involved intense rehabilitation, including gym workouts, swimming, cycling, and other physical activities to regain her strength and mobility. Although some medical professionals and members of the public doubted her ability to recover, she has continued to fight and push herself. Sharing her story on TikTok and Instagram has become crucial to her healing process, inspiring others who face their own struggles.
“I’ve found strength in retelling my story,” Tina admitted. “It’s helped me realise that my journey has touched other people’s lives. I hope my experience will encourage others to look beyond appearances and understand that life after a stroke is not just about limitations – it’s about resilience, adaptation, and the fight for independence.” Tina wants people to know that strokes can happen to anyone, regardless of age or fitness level.
She continued: “Many people assume that strokes only happen to older adults or individuals with certain health conditions. I’m living proof that strokes can strike young, healthy people too. Strokes don’t discriminate. Every minute a stroke goes untreated, nearly 2 million brain cells die. That’s why it’s crucial to recognise the signs and act quickly.”
Today, Tina is focused on her ongoing recovery and finding ways to continue living an active life. Although she may never return to the career she loved as a paramedic, she has found new ways to stay engaged and active. “As I grieve the losses, it’s also exciting to discover new passions,” she shares. “I’m not back to 100 percent, and I don’t know if I ever will be, but I’m doing my best to move forward.”
