Stephen Jones

12 Dips in December

Help Protect Hearts in Ireland

I am taking part in 12 Dips in December to raise funds for the Irish Heart Foundation and I’d love your support to help protect hearts in Ireland. ❤️

The Irish Heart Foundation’s mission is to eliminate preventable death and disability from heart disease and stroke and to support and care for those living with these life-changing conditions.

Your donation will make a real difference to people and families affected by heart disease and stroke.

Thank you for visiting my page and for your support.

My Achievements

Shared Page

Self Donated

Updated a Profile Pic

Posted your 1st update

25% Target Reached

Reached Fundraising Goal

My Updates

Dip 1

Monday 2nd Dec

I am a Stroke Survivor

Friday 8th Nov
On July 22nd this year, coming home from the gym (serves me right for trying to be fit wha’?) I felt a sudden numbness/buzzing down the left side of my body. It was very intense. I went into a nearby pub and told the barmaid I may need some help. I drank a coke and the feeling disappeared. I calmed down and walked back to my apartment. I showered and lay down but 30 mins later the buzzing feeling down my left side struck again. I rang an ambulance and was brought to St. James’ Hospital.

An MRI revealed that I had suffered a very small ischemic stroke. Being 38, a non-smoker, drug free and not massively out of shape I was shocked to say the least.

Thankfully I didn’t suffer much physical damage. I still have some sensation in a small part of my left hand but it’s barely noticeable and should return to normal. Even if it doesn’t, it doesn’t stop me using my hand and its power/movement are unaffected.

There’s 1 in 3 chance that the doctors will never find the cause. The tests they have done thus far have not pinpointed anything. There’s positives to take from this too.

Two days after I left hospital I was in France on holidays. The following week I went to Belfast to film an exciting new movie. I was straight back into normal life. Point being, I’m totally fine in the grand scheme of things, so don’t worry.

I don’t take what happened lightly though. There have been many tears, many days of asking ‘why did this happen to me?’, moments of not feeling like myself in my own body, anxiety, times of feeling very low. But through all that, I am still here, which is the main thing and I have amazing people around me. I feel like myself again.

This is just something that happened. Posting here, talking to people, speaking with a therapist, helps me reach a place of acceptance.

I’m eating healthier, taking my medication to help prevent future clots and hoping to do something next year to raise money for the Irish Heart Foundation.

The word Stroke will always be attached to me. That’s difficult.

But there’s another word that comes after it.

And it’s a more powerful word.

Survivor.

Thank you to my Sponsors

55

Bend It Like Beckett

Best of luck from Bend it Like Beckett lads!

53.25

Mark O’sullivan

Well done mate. Proud of you. ❤️

53.25

Ruth Carter

Best of luck Stephen!

53.25

Dave Fleming

34

Peter Keane

26.63

Jane Tuohy

Hi Stephen, I did a class with you at Glass mask , so just wanted to say that I was sorry to hear that you had a stroke . The shock of it all must have been overwhelming but I’m delighted to hear you are on the mend. All the best with your recovery and all the rest . Best wishes Jane

26.63

Liz Quinn

Fair plé a mhac! Lots of love, Liz

26.63

Colm Mahon

26.63

Liam Quigley

Good man

26.63

Graham Merrigan

A great guy, all the best x

26.63

Nrian

26.63

Hugh Harkin

That’s the attitude.

26.63

Fiona Nolan

Best of luck 🎉🙏🏻

26.63

Éanna Hardwicke

Brilliant work Stephen. Good luck with dips boss. Hope I can join you (for a toe dip)

26.63

Alison Mcgirr

💪🧊🙌

21.30

Stephen Jones

21.30

Lauren Byrne

21.30

Amanda

21.30

Oliver Coopersmith

Loving your work mate. Good luck

21.30

John Smith

21.30

Marie O Driscoll

Best of luck Stephen

21.30

Tony Nugent

Fair play Ste & best of luck!

20

Bronagh O'reilly

Well done!

20

Louise Bourke

15.98

Aaron Dunne

15.98

John Feeney

15.98

Eamon Mcguinness

Best of luck!

15.98

Ste Murray

15

Ruth Mcgill

Wishing you well, Stephen and best of luck with the 12 dips.

10.65

Anonymous

10.65

Paul O'sullivan

10.65

Luke Griffin

👊

10.65

Ben Haugh

10.65

Eamonn Macconville

10.65

Derek Kelly

All the best Stephen ☘️

10.65

Luke Bolger

Fair play Ste, sorry to hear about your troubles. I’ve always been your biggest fan and watch everything you’re in and this shows why. I’d be well up for the skinny dipping. Let me know

10.65

Emily

10.65

Alex Murphy

10

Daniel Fulham

10

Giggsy Hand

All hoops fans are with you Jonesy 💚💚💚

10

Simon O'gorman

5

Anonymous

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