**Young Entrepreneur Left Paralysed by Sudden Stroke After Headache Warning**
A once-healthy young businesswoman from Gloucestershire is warning others to listen to their bodies, after a sudden and agonising headache led to a life-altering stroke that left her unable to move or speak—her only means of communication reduced to blinking.
Saskia Bishop, 22, had spent the day visiting her grandmother when a fierce, stabbing pain in her head struck without warning. Previously in good health, Saskia had never exhibited any signs or symptoms pointing to an underlying condition. She describes the moment as utterly overwhelming, likening it to hearing a ‘flat line’ inside her own head.
The situation spiralled rapidly. Told by her father to rest, Saskia’s condition deteriorated: she became violently sick, lost the ability to move, and was left only able to blink to indicate she was conscious. Recognising the severity, her family rushed her to the accident and emergency department at Gloucester Royal Hospital. Realising the seriousness of Saskia’s symptoms, the medical team quickly transferred her to Southmead Hospital’s intensive care unit in Bristol.
Once admitted, doctors delivered the devastating news: Saskia had a large blood clot on her brain, the result of a significant bleed—she had suffered a stroke. Scans revealed the underlying cause was a rare arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a tangled cluster of abnormal blood vessels causing blood to bypass the usual pathways through the brain.
Within hours, Saskia was undergoing intricate, lifesaving surgery—a seven-hour operation to remove both the AVM and the life-threatening clot. The risks were immense, but the intervention was successful. She spent two weeks in hospital, during which she was unable to speak for the initial fortnight and continued to experience paralysis. Gradually, her speech returned, but the aftermath of the stroke continues to affect her life.
Speaking to the press, Saskia reflected: “Before this, I had no inkling whatsoever that anything was wrong. That day was like any other until suddenly it wasn’t. I’m generally very talkative and outgoing, so losing my speech was especially frustrating. Even now, I have lasting numbness around my head, bouts of fatigue, and mobility issues.”
While she has made a remarkable recovery and is grateful to be walking and talking again, Saskia’s ordeal has not come without challenges. She now relies on a wheelchair for longer distances and continues to experience shooting pains across her scar and lingering cognitive delays—her speech, though much improved, sometimes still falters. However, Saskia is acutely aware that, given the severity of what happened, the outcome could have been far worse. Many with her condition may not survive or are left with lifelong disabilities.
Reflecting on her experience, she said, “I was born with this, but I never knew. A lot of people might go their whole lives without showing any symptoms. I am grateful this happened while I’m young, as my recovery prospects are much better. But this experience shows that age doesn’t make you invincible—if something feels seriously wrong, don’t ignore it.”
Her message to others is one of caution and self-advocacy: trust your instincts and seek medical help if you experience sudden, severe changes to your health, no matter how fit or young you might feel.
Medical experts note that AVMs are rare and often go undetected until a catastrophic event occurs. Saskia’s case is a stark reminder of the importance of rapid response and medical intervention in acute neurological emergencies.
Today, Saskia continues to rebuild her life, determined not to be defined by her ordeal. Her story highlights both the unpredictability of health emergencies and the incredible capacity for recovery when swift action is taken.
The case is prompting calls for greater awareness of hidden neurological conditions, particularly among the young and otherwise healthy, who may be most at risk of ignoring early warning signs.