A Wodonga woman who survived two strokes three decades apart is training for one of her greatest challenges yet, the Gold Coast Marathon.
She’s dedicating her efforts to her beloved son Christian who died in a car crash five years ago.
Linda Lehmann was only 20 when she experienced her first stroke. In March 2021, just one week before her 49th birthday she experienced the second stroke which changed her life.
“It happened while I was sleeping. I went to get my son Hunter up for school, but I couldn’t speak, I knew what I wanted to say but I couldn’t get any words out,” she said.
“By the time I got to hospital it was too late to administer clot-busting medication. Doctors didn’t even recognise it was a stroke until an MRI revealed two areas of brain tissue death – 30 years apart.”
Linda says the stroke had a devastating effect on her ability to communicate and multitask, eventually deciding not to go back to her job.
“My comprehension was good, but my expressive language was poor, it was very frustrating. My working memory, mood, confidence and sense of self were impacted.” she said
“The dam burst for me emotionally too, all the grief that I had held inside after losing Christian came out, mixed in with frustration and fear.”
Two years later, Linda has new goals and ambitions. She has put her years of teaching knowledge to good use and is training to become a yoga instructor.
Linda will be joined by her 22-year-old daughter Tayah in completing the marathon next month. They have already raised $1,072 for Stroke Foundation.
“We want to raise money for other survivors of stroke and will be running in memory of Christian who loved to run and was extremely energetic and dynamic,” she said.
“I wouldn’t have gotten this far without the support of my kids Tayah and Hunter. They have been instrumental in my recovery by giving me a purpose for living.”
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr Lisa Murphy commended Linda for her efforts.
“Linda has had to overcome the unimaginable. She is showing so much courage and grace in completing the Gold Coast Marathon,” Dr Murphy said.
“She has already achieved so much since her stroke, I’m sure her kids would be just as proud of her as she is of them.”
