What a privilege it was to have Alumna and 2010 Student of the Year, Emma Lewis, at the college today as part of Wellbeing Week.
Emma spoke to more than 20 students at this morning’s Women’s Health session about her own health journey, and how quickly life can change.
In January this year, Emma was a happy, healthy 26-year-old, enjoying her career as a teacher.
“I had no prior health issues,” she explained to the students. “Now I’m a stroke survivor.”
Emma had what is known as an AVM—a bleed caused by a tangle of abnormal and poorly formed blood vessels in her brain.
“I had brain surgery, spent three months in hospital, then had to have a second surgery,” she told students. “I now have a whole team of people helping me with my recovery—doctors, physios, occupational therapists…”
Emma doesn’t know when, or if, she will return to teaching and realises she still has a long way to go with her recovery, yet she remains incredibly positive.
“I never imagined anything like this would happen to me,” she said. “You never know what’s around the corner, so be grateful for every day.”
