I was a healthy paramedic, 21, but a 60-second headache changed everything – I’m in a wheelchair 9 years later

PARAMEDIC Tina Holt had just returned home from brunch with a friend when she was hit with a headache.

The headache was only brief and lasted a minute - but the seemingly harmless headache turned out to be the first sign of stroke, despite the fact she was only 21.

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"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," Tina says.

"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."

Straight after experiencing the headache, Tina noticed she couldn't swipe her phone screen to unlock it.

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Her friend, who was also a paramedic, quickly noticed something was wrong.

She asked Tina, who was then 21, 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, from Queensland, Australia, recalled.

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"My friend immediately called my parents and dialled triple zero (000) 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 (hemorrhagic stroke), and she was urgently airlifted to the ICU in Brisbane.

A hemorrhagic stroke is when you have bleeding in or around the brain.

This can damage brain cells and damage to brain cells can affect how the body works.

They're potentially life threatening and need immediate medical attention.

Doctors informed Tina's family that she might not survive and, if she did, there would likely be lasting impacts.

I'm living proof that strokes can strike young, healthy people too

Tina Holt

Tina remained unconscious for five days, spent 10 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."

DREAMS DASHED

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."

Another challenging aspect of her experience is confronting "rude stares" and "hurtful comments".

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Tina says: "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.

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"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."