Stroke victim runs for his life.. and charity cash

AFTER two devastating strokes in his mid-thirties, Paul Nearn is literally running for his life.

The IT consultant has been told by specialists to get exercising to keep his blood pressure down to prevent a third attack.

The 38-year-old from Duddingston is taking part in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival 10K to help him get back to fitness - and raise cash for the charity that supported his recovery.

The dad-of-two has learned to walk again after his first stroke three and a half years ago, at the age of just 35.

Paul, who had no history of ill health, left doctors mystified as to the nature of his condition.

He said: "The doctor effectively said with this continued condition in my brain, 'I need to get your BMI and weight down by two and a half stones'.

"I was only about 14 and three-quarter stones anyway, but that was the catalyst to get running and get back to the gym. When I got running again I wanted a target and decided to do something for the people who have done so much for me."

He added: "People who have that kind of stroke are usually in big collisions, car crashes, and it also occurs in sports, rugby and athletics, but it's still quite unusual.

"The doctors weren't really sure what had happened after the first stroke."

After a sixth-month recovery, learning to walk unassisted at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Paul believed he was in the clear and returned to his normal life, working at BT at the Gyle and looking after his son Greg, now six.

He had another stroke six months ago and was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformations, which are abnormal connections between arteries and veins. Bleeding from these can be devastating to the brain and can lead to severe and even fatal strokes. Although he has partially recovered and is back to work, Paul has lost sensation in his right hand, which prevents him writing.

He also faces a ten per cent chance of a third stroke. The doctors believe that his condition could be linked to lifting weights at the gym.

Paul had surgery at Christmas to attempt to rectify the malformations, but it was unsuccessful and he faces further surgery in the autumn.

Despite his condition, Paul says running and exercising has greatly improved his recovery and he is considering attempting the Edinburgh half-marathon in the autumn.

He added: "Medically, I need to do it because the lower my blood pressure, the less chance of this thing in my brain going off again.

"It's like a ticking time bomb, a case of getting your blood pressure down to stave off another one, but you try not to think of it like that."

Alison Bertram, regional fundraiser with Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, said: "Paul is an inspiration to us all. What he has achieved so far demonstrates that amazing things can still be undertaken by people who have been affected by chest, heart and stroke illness."

To support Paul's challenge visit: http://www.justgiving.com/Paul-Nearn.