Stroke survivor to run Boston Marathon 6 years after massive stroke

In 2019, Jayme Kelly suffered a massive stroke. She was only 29 years old. Now, almost 6 years later, she will be running the Boston Marathon as a survivor with Tedy’s Team.

“Boston on Monday will be my first marathon,” Jayme said. “I want to prove to myself, and the world, that even a stroke survivor can run a marathon.”

On the morning of July 23, 2019, Jayme woke up unable to move the right side of her body. She had done a CrossFit workout the night before and thought that she must have just slept on her side funny.

As Jayme attempted to get ready for work, she felt confused trying to put her make-up on and was unsure what was going on. She had no idea that the symptoms she was experiencing were stroke related so instead of calling for help, Jayme went back to sleep.

When she did not show up for work that morning, her roommate and friend found her in her room and called 9-1-1 immediately.

After her stroke, Jayme was unable to speak, walk, or use her right hand. Thanks to her team of doctors, therapists, family and friends, Jayme has made an incredible comeback.

“I had to relearn how to walk, use my right hand, eat, and even talk again,” explained Jayme. “My recovery has been filled with really big highs, and some devastating lows, but the highest challenge was finding myself again.”

Today, Jayme is back to working as a nurse, living in her own apartment, doing CrossFit again, and sharing her story to help others.

“When it comes to stroke, time lost is brain lost,” Jayme said. “I share my story so that others will learn the warning signs and know to get help quickly. If I can help even one person, then I would be happy.”

In just a few days, Jayme will be taking on the 129^th Boston Marathon with her fellow teammates to raise life-saving funds and awareness of stroke and heart disease. To support her fundraising efforts, please visit her personal team page and learn the warning signs of stroke, which are best remembered by using the acronym BE FAST, which stands for:

• Balance Difficulties
• Eyesight Changes
• Face Drooping
• Arm Weakness
• Speech Difficulties – and if you notice any of those warning signs, it’s…
• TIME TO CALL 9-1-1.

BE FAST is an acronym to help you quickly recognize common signs of a stroke and to take any necessary action by calling for emergency medical services. Other symptoms may include sudden and severe unexplained headache or migraine with no obvious cause, and confusion or trouble understanding things they would normally know.