13-year-old Matilda was called 'infection', suffered two consecutive strokes: 'This can happen to anyone'

13-year-old Matilda Stacey, who applied to the hospital complaining of severe headache during her trip to the USA, was diagnosed with sinus disease. The condition of the young girl, who was told that she could return to her country, England, by plane after being treated with fluids and antibiotics, rapidly deteriorated after returning home. Matilda, who could not eat or drink and whose headache did not subside, was taken to the emergency room in Newcastle by her family.

Just two days after visiting the emergency room, on her mother's birthday, Matilda suddenly began experiencing numbness in her left leg, The Sun reported. The next day, the young girl, whose speech was impaired and the left side of her body remained unresponsive while the right side moved uncontrollably, was referred to the pediatric intensive care unit.

Doctors found that the infection had spread to the protective membranes surrounding the brain and caused vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels). Her family was informed that Matilda was at high risk of suffering another fatal stroke and that they should not get their hopes up.

Matilda, who had emergency sinus surgery during the two weeks she spent in intensive care and had a second stroke during this period, started to show signs of recovery when she started asking for a chocolate milkshake. The young girl, who stayed in the hospital for two months and learned to walk, talk and eat again, clung to life despite missing the first months of high school after the rehabilitation process she continued with determination.

Today, Matilda Stacey, who plays amateur football again and plays for the Newcastle United Cerebral Palsy Football Team, shares her experiences within the scope of the 'Survival Is Not Enough' campaign of the Stroke Association in England. The young girl says, "People think that stroke only happens to the elderly. However, it can happen to anyone, even children," and draws attention to the importance of early diagnosis and awareness.