A young Brisbane survivor of stroke whose family was told she wouldn't survive has defied the odds and is sharing her story as a message of hope to others.
In September 2022, Cindy Kuipers was at home when her life was turned upside down.
The then-39-year-old collapsed to the ground in front of her partner Doris.
"I didn't know what was happening she couldn't pick herself up but when I looked at her it was like the lights were on but nobody was home," Doris recalled.
Doris called an ambulance and Cindy was rushed to hospital where she underwent surgery to remove part of her skull. During the procedure, she had another stroke and was placed into a coma for 11 days.
Her family was told her chances of survival were very slim and she likely wouldn't survive.
"The doctor told me, 'You need to think about letting her go'."
But Cindy, a former professional bodybuilder, put up a fight and survived, starting her long and ongoing journey to recovery.
After being told she would never walk again, Cindy defied the odds once again, and almost a year after her stroke, took her first unassisted steps.
She's now taking on a challenge of walking everyday as part of Stroke Foundation's Stride4Stroke.
She'll join hundreds of other Aussies who are getting physical in the month of November to raise money for Stroke Foundation.
"You just have to keep going and stay positive," Cindy says.
Stride4Stroke encourages people to get moving to reduce their own stroke risk all while raising much needed funds to support survivors of stroke and their families, and to improve stroke treatment and care.
It comes as new research revealed the number of Australians having a stroke is at an all-time high with more than 45,000 Australians experiencing a stroke last year; that's one every 11 minutes
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa Murphy, said more than half (55%) of adults do not meet the Australian physical activity guidelines.
"Too many lives are being unnecessarily impacted by stroke. We know that just 30 minutes of exercise five times a week can reduce your stroke risk by 25 per cent," Dr Murphy said.
"We also know 80 per cent of strokes can be prevented, so why wouldn't we aim to reduce our risk, all while raising much needed funds to support survivors of stroke and their families."
The month-long campaign sees participants set their own activity and fundraising goal with the aim of increasing their moving minutes.
"Just like Cindy, you can complete the challenge any way you like. From walking, running, cycling, dancing, swimming, or setting a movement target in stroke recovery," she said.
