Appeal for Becky from Dursley, left paralysed after a stroke

Becky Kemp, 33, suffered a brain stem stroke just a little over a year ago and has since been paralysed from the neck down.

She now lives with a rare condition called locked-in syndrome, which means she cannot eat, drink or speak, but rather communicates using eye movements.

A popular member of the Dursley community, well known for her fun and positive approach to life, Becky is now working on rebuilding her life at the Dean Neurological Rehabilitation Centre in Gloucester, where she has impressed the team with her determined progress.

And, looking to the future, family and friends have set up a fundraising campaign to help her live the best life she can.

Becky suffered a life changing brain stem stroke on November 30, 2019.

Before a full diagnosis was made, it was assumed she was too young to have had a stroke.

For the first ten weeks, she was treated at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

Her parents, Ronnie and John, and her brother Richard, sat by her bedside, shocked and unsure about what the future held. It was a frightening time.

They could barely communicate with Becky, with interaction limited to a spell board she had been given, which allowed her to spell out words, using just her eyes.

Everything seemed pretty bleak.

But then, much to everyone’s surprise, she spelled out a rude word using her spell board.

It was funny and cheeky, and in that one moment her family realised with astonished relief that even though she couldn’t move or speak, Becky was still Becky.

“Learning the spell board and managing to communicate at Gloucestershire Royal was awesome,” said Becky.

“You don’t take speech for granted.”

Since then, the charity SpecialEffect has created an Eye Gaze tablet for Becky, which she can control using her eyes. It enables her to compile words, spell out sentences, and she can control her TV, access videos and listen to music using an additional electronic head button.

“The Eye Gaze also allows me to email and use social media,” said Becky.

“It has been great during lock down.

“Although I like the social interaction of the spelling board, it is sometimes faster to use the Eye Gaze. Plus not everyone can use the spelling board.

“And with the Eye Gaze, I can have things written, ready for when staff come. I’ve been using it in my psychology sessions too, as I can be more expressive with it.”

With specialised therapy, first at Frenchay Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre (BIRU), and then at The Dean Neurological Centre, in Gloucester, Becky has continued to develop and improve.

And her indomitable spirit has continued to shine through.

Sue Field, director of The Dean, said that during the course of her stay at the centre, Becky “has been amazing and it’s been a real pleasure to work with her”.

“She’s got a great sense of humour and has a really good relationship with the care staff,” she said.

“She is so independent in her thinking, and she wants to progress.”

Ms Field says Becky’s strong relationships with her family and friends have played a vital part in her rehabilitation work.

“Becky has had a huge life change and it’s important to keep her positivity up,” she said.

“The continued connection between Becky and her friends and family has been so important as part of her rehab.”

Lockdown has been especially hard for Becky, with all visits from family and friends put on hold.

But when Becky does see her friends and family, things can get pretty lively.

Prior to the latest lockdown her family used to take her, in her wheelchair, to the park to meet up with friends, where they stayed for hours, chatting and laughing.

And, as a nod to the annual Halloween parties Becky held before her stroke, her friends surprised her with a special spooky get together on October 31.

As well as hosting Halloween parties, Becky has made many contributions to the rich life of her community over the years, including as a member of Slimbridge Scouts, as a musician with Rednock and Cheltenham Orchestras, and during her time as a pupil at Rednock School.

Adrian Mather of Slimbridge Scouts said Becky had been a key member of the group.

“She was at the forefront of almost everything the group did, firstly as a young person and latterly as a patrol leader in charge of a number of young people,” he said.

“We know Becky will fight this situation and will come through it stronger.

“We look forward to seeing her back to her feisty, caring and funny self.”

A dedicated music lover, Becky was a violinist with Cheltenham Philharmonic Orchestra for many years.

Orchestra chairman Michael Kilshaw said: “Becky was a hugely popular member of the orchestra. Her fellow orchestra members and friends greatly miss her warmth, fun and larger than life personality. Everyone from the Phil continues to wish Bex the very best for her ongoing hard work of recovery.”

Rednock School, where Becky and her brother Richard were both pupils, and their mother Ronnie worked in the finance department, recently held a special non uniform fundraising day on Becky’s behalf.

Head teacher David Alexander said: “Rednock School was honoured to be able to select Becky’s charity for one of its non uniform days. As a former student, from1998 to 2005, Becky was well known in our school community, she was a lively, vivacious student who played in the school orchestra, was an enthusiastic netball player and a hard working student.

“As a student, Becky supported many charity events with her musical talent; she was keen to give of her best for others.

“We felt that it was time for us to show our appreciation of Becky and we wanted to do all that we could to help.”

Upon hearing about the non uniform day, Becky’s reaction was surprising.

“They were very generous and there are other people worse off than me,” she said.

But her Auntie Sheelagh said thinking of others is typical of Becky.

“Becky has as far back as I can remember always put others first,” she said.

“She has raised funds for Mencap, Alzheimer’s, Diabetes UK as well as for her school.”

A committed environmentalist, after leaving education Becky forged a career at IEAGHG, an international research organisation working on climate change technology.

The firm still want to find a position in their work place for Becky to fill when she leaves rehab, technology allowing, as she made such a good impression on them.

Becky said: “I miss my job as I loved it. I was a communications manager. I hope I can take up the offer in the future.”

Becky’s family - Ronnie, John and Rich - have been eagerly anticipating a time when they can finally be reunited with her after the long lockdown.

They have been dropping off pureed meals, for swallowing practice, and other treats for Becky at the centre.

But until last week, when restrictions were lifted to allow one person to visit, the family hadn’t been able to see each other since December 30, 2020.

Currently, Ronnie is the only person allowed to visit Becky, and John and Rich are really missing her.

“It will be great to return to normality, with Becky going back to having to put up with me and my antics,” said Becky’s brother, Rich.

“She has done so well up until now and with her mindset and outlook, she is giving it her all and I can’t wait to being able to support her, and repay her kindness and generosity.”

Mum Ronnie added: “We are all in awe of Bex, and she has amazed us all by her inner strength and endurance.

“Our ‘little girl’ has turned out to be the most courageous woman and we couldn’t be more proud as parents.”

And dad John said: “She is one in a million and any parents would be proud to be so fortunate to have her as a daughter.”

Through their fundraising campaign, Becky’s family and friends are aiming to raise £25,000 to help her deal with the next phase of her life, when she leaves the Dean Centre.

Through donations and various fundraising activities, nearly £18,000 has been raised already.

And next month, Berkeley photographer Alicia Erwood, of Forever & Always Photography, will be raffling a photo-shoot for the fund.

If you would like to make a donation to Becky’s fundraiser, please visit her JustGiving page via: bit.ly/2NVt3rH, or type in Becky Kemp.