David O\u2019Donnell, 23, had to learn to walk and talk again after enduring a stroke as a toddler in November 2004![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_David-ODonnell1jpeg.jpg\")
David O\u2019Donnell, 23, had to learn to walk and talk again after enduring a stroke as a toddler, but now helps to improve the lives of others who have suffered similar experiences, through the Irish Heart Foundation\u2019s Patient Champions programme.<\/p>\n
A student who suffered a stroke at the age of two is helping other cardiovascular survivors through their health ordeals.<\/p>\n
David O\u2019Donnell, 23, had to learn to walk and talk again after enduring a stroke as a toddler in November 2004.<\/p>\n
He still suffers the physical and mental scars \u2013 but has vowed to help improve the lives of others through the Irish Heart Foundation\u2019s Patient Champions programme.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoctors had no explanation of a child this young coming in with a stroke and told my parents this,\u201d said David, from Ballina in Co Tipperary. \u201cThey couldn\u2019t find any clear reason.\u201d<\/p>\n
The alarm was raised by his parents when they found their then two-and-a-half-year-old son could not speak or move the right side of his body as he lay in his cot.<\/p>\n
After two nights in University Hospital Limerick, David was transferred to Crumlin Children\u2019s Hospital in Dublin, where he remained for almost a month so doctors could rule out possible causes.<\/p>\n
A paediatric neurologist eventually confirmed that the stroke was caused by an unknown virus.<\/p>\n
A stroke is a brain injury and happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted, potentially damaging millions of brain cells and causing disability.<\/p>\n
An estimated 7,500 occur in Ireland every year.<\/p>\n
David\u2019s episode had a profound impact on his childhood and teenage years.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrowing up, especially through primary school, I was very conscious of being different,\u201d he recalls.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy walk isn\u2019t the best, and my right hand doesn\u2019t work that well.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was always conscious of that, and it held me back psychologically more than physically.\u201d<\/p>\n
He has now completed his BA in Psychology and is working towards his master\u2019s degree.<\/p>\n
He is also pursuing \u2018life changing\u2019 voluntary work with the Patient Champions programme to help others who have suffered cardiac problems and stroke.<\/p>\n
The programme is free of charge, delivered online and accessible to patients with a heart or stroke diagnosis throughout Ireland.<\/p>\n
It teaches heart and stroke patients about advocacy methods and channels open to them, to try and bring about better outcomes for themselves and other patients, especially in the area of political lobbying, patient representation in healthcare, and advocating to the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been brilliant,\u201d David says.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore, I didn\u2019t think there was any point in reaching out to others who\u2019d had a stroke. I didn\u2019t know anyone my age who had. But then I met this group, and they\u2019re wonderful. It\u2019s uplifting to see others going through similar experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n
The latest group of Patient Champions graduated from the programme last week.<\/p>\n
Advocacy Campaign Manager with the Irish Heart Foundation, Pauline O\u2019Shea, who leads the programme and is herself a cardiac patient, described people like David as the real heroes of the organisation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are a terrific addition to our team. Their insight, authenticity, and determination to help their fellow community of patients and the organisation by sharing their personal accounts of significant issues that affect heart and stroke patients, is a powerful combination for working for positive change for patients.\u201d<\/p>\n
If you would like to become a Patient Champion with the Irish Heart Foundation, visit: irishheart.ie\/patientchampions<\/a><\/p>\n