'Helping others has helped me'

On New Year's Day 2010, Samira Furniss was getting ready to put her ten-month-old daughter to bed when she felt a strange sensation in her right arm. Soon, her entire right-hand side was paralysed and she was rushed off to hospital. This is her story.

I was just 32 when everything happened. It came out of nowhere; one minute I'm preparing Ella Rose for bed, and the next minute I can't move my right side. I was rushed to A&E at Rotherham Hospital but it wasn't until a month later that I was diagnosed with two lifethreatening brain aneurysms. It wasn't much comfort when the neurosurgeons expressed surprise at both the intensity of the aneurysms and my relatively young age.

I was referred to the Sheffield Hallamshire Hospital and over the next eight months I was subjected to a wide range of tests. But the news was not good.

It was discovered that there were many complications and I required full open surgery, which was to last 13 hours. The initial surgery went well, but five days later I suffered a blood clot on my brain. Once again I was rushed into surgery. My family were warned I might not survive and, if I did, I may be left with a severe brain injury. The outlook seemed bleak.

Thankfully, thanks to the amazing life-saving skills of the surgical team, I survived the night. But I was left with a brain injury. I have had to relearn how to talk, eat and sit up and I am on a path to walking unaided once again. To date, my rehabilitation road has been full of ups and downs and I know there are still challenges to come. But focusing on my baby daughter and my wonderful husband, Michael, is giving me the strength to pull through. I am still full of positivity, determination and inspiration as I approach the two year mark since that fateful day.

Although I am still recovering, I wanted to give something back to those that have helped me so far. So, I organised a charity ball called Live for Today. It took place in Sheffield in October and raised £6,600, which is being split between Headway Rotherham and Neurocare, which provides vital surgical equipment. The money raised will help these two special charities further help people like me. They are true lifelines.

As well as the ball, I have also taken part in a host of additional fundraising activities, including a bag-pack at Asda. In total, I have helped raise more than £12,000 so far.

I would thoroughly recommend to anyone who has been through anything like I have that they get actively involved in fundraising for charities like Headway. My confidence has increased, my cognitive ability is so much higher than before and I feel so good about myself - rather than thinking I cannot do anything anymore.

To those fighting their own battles, please don't give up. Stay strong and continue to fight - not only for you, but also those who love and care about you.