In August 2020, Darrel Tan went to the doctor and was diagnosed with vertigo. What he had was a stroke.
After being initially discharged, something still did not feel right. Trusting his instincts, Darrel returned to his GP, who referred him for further scans. The results revealed a blood clot, and he was immediately admitted through the emergency department.
"When he told me that I had a stroke, I still didn't really understand what that meant," Darrel recalled.
For many people, stroke is seen as something that affects older generations. At 43 years old, Darrel had never considered it a possibility for himself.
"As a younger person, it is not something in your vocabulary," he said. "It's your uncles and aunties or grandparents or parents - the older generation - who have a stroke, and you seem them as physcially differnt."
Before his stroke, Darrel led a fast-paced lifestyle. He held an executive role at work, was studying for his master's degree, and spent his free time at the gym or on the basketball court. The diagnosis brought that momentum to an abrupt halt and forced him to confront a future he had never imagined.
In the months that followed, Darrel quickly discovered that navigating life after stroke was not straightforward. Beyond the physical effects, there was little guidance on what recovery might look like as a younger stroke survivor.
“It was not simply about getting back to who I was before. It became about working out how to build a new life, reassess what was important, and find a way to move forward with purpose and confidence.”
Support arrived from an unexpected source. Just two weeks before his stroke, Darrel had met the woman who would later become his wife. As an occupational therapy student, she helped connect him with the Stroke Foundation and encouraged him to seek support.
He received support for challenges including mental health, but he felt there was a gap in the system when it came to the unique needs of younger stroke survivors.
After three months of rehabilitation, health professionals told him he had recovered. Yet for Darrel, recovery was far more complex than a clinical assessment could capture.
“Young stroke recovery does not end after hospital, rehabilitation, or a set discharge date. It continues into work, study, relationships, family life, mental health, identity, confidence and purpose.”
As he adjusted to life after stroke, Darrel found himself facing challenges that had gone unrecognised. Anxiety and panic attacks emerged, experiences that were completely unfamiliar to him.
“If I had been referred to the Young Stroke Service, I would have gotten age-appropriate information and a clearer pathway of where I wanted to be,” he said. “There would also have been recognition of the psychological impacts.”
Today, Darrel is a strong advocate for services tailored to younger stroke survivors. He believes programs such as the Young Stroke Service (YSS) play a critical role in helping people rebuild not only their health, but their lives.
“YSS represents a model of care that understands young stroke recovery is not just medical recovery; it s about rebuilding a life and finding a meaningful second lease on life.”
“The YSS in Australia fills a gap for young stroke survivors, and it’s needed,” he said. “If the service continues, it serves as a good example for other countries.”
