Our team is taking on the challenge of Stride4Stroke and raising funds for Stroke Foundation!
Hi Friends,
As most of you may know, my wife Mel unexpectedly suffered a severe stroke six months ago. She is the heart and soul of our family and as you can imagine we were lost without her. She has done amazingly well so far in her recovery, and we would love to support her further by getting her moving every day and at the same time help raise money to go to those affected by stroke.
Here is Mel's story:
"The day it happened started off like any other day, I was cleaning my bathroom and felt a wave of dizziness come over me, similar to when you stand up too quickly, I waited for it to pass but it got progressively worse. Lucky for me Frank was working from home and was able to call an ambulance for me.
The ambulance people assessed me and because of my age and the way I was presenting they put it down to chemical inhalation and told me to rest up and it should pass. The next day I woke up and couldn't walk properly so we headed to the hospital to get checked out. After a CT and blood works they thought it was sinusitis which was putting pressure on my ears and causing me to have extreme vertigo. When I arrived home my eye started drooping and I had numbness in my foot and leg. I called the hospital and they sent another ambulance out to assess me. They thought it was consistent with the diagnosis the hospital gave me earlier that day but told me to call back if it got worse.
Over the next six days my symptoms slowly got worse to the point where my face was drooping and I had weakness on my left side of the body and numbness on the right side. I couldn't walk, swallow or see properly.
I went back to the hospital and finally had an MRI which showed that I had suffered a Lateral Medullary Stroke.
After a stay in hospital and many months of intensive rehabilitation I’ve learned how to walk again on my own without an aid, I'm able to drive again and I’m slowly making my way back to living my normal life and doing all the things I used to do.
To look at me now, I've been told that I don't look like I've had a stroke but for me it's the unseen deficits that I deal with daily such as chronic fatigue, migraines, muscle weakness, numbness, dizziness and sensory overload.
My Neurologist has told me that I'm the luckiest unlucky person. I don't fit the usual profile of someone that is at risk of having a stroke, I'm relatively young, I'm fit and healthy, I don't smoke, or do drugs, I only drink socially and my blood pressure and cholesterol are in the normal ranges. I'm fortunate that I have no permanent lasting effects of the stroke and all of the tests I have undergone have indicated that I have no underlying health issues which could have caused the stroke. I've been told that up to 40% of young strokes survivors never find answers as to why it occurs.
It’s been a very challenging time for me and my family but something that was invaluable to my recovery was all the amazing resources available for the recovery of stroke survivors. "
I'm taking on the challenge of Stride4Stroke and raising funds for Stroke Foundation to help prevent stroke, save lives and enhance recovery.
Stroke is one of Australia's biggest killers and doesn't discriminate; it affects anyone, anytime, even unborn babies. It claims more lives than breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. And incredibly, around 600 Australian children experience stroke each year.
By supporting me, you'll be helping to sustain vital programs and resources that Stroke Foundation provides, including:
Preventing Stroke:
- StrokeSafe Talks
- Australia's Biggest Blood Pressure Check
- Information Resources
Saving Lives:
- F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) Signs of Stroke Awareness
- Living Guidelines for Stroke Management
- InformMe Website for Health Professionals
Enhancing Recovery:
- StrokeLine
- My Stroke Journey
- EnableMe Website for Survivors of Stroke
Your support goes beyond just a donation; it's a lifeline for individuals at risk of stroke and survivors of stroke.
Thank you for supporting me. Together we can change the state of stroke in Australia for generations to come.
Thank you to our Sponsors
$316.50
Anonymous
$211
Anonymous
Thanks for being so open and generous with your story, Mel and for inspiring everyone around you. MB x
$211
Anonymous
So wonderful to be supporting your amazing mum in this way, Stella. Here’s to ongoing strong recovery. MB x
$211
Anonymous
Such an amazing family to have supporting you, Mel and I hope the recovery keeps on going strong. Thanks for raising awareness with your amazing story. MBx
$200
Grace Barila
Go Team Barila!
$200
Josephine & Carlo Visaggio
Amazing courage, strength and determination. You are an inspiration Mel 🫶🧡🫶
$158.25
Anonymous
Stunned by this story. Wishing a speedy and full return to the way things were. Rooting for Team Barila. JK
$158.25
Laura
God bless you Mel. I’m shocked and but happy to hear you are getting back to normality big love and prayers for you
$150
Frank And Rose Musumeci
You are amazing!! We love you Mel ♥️
$108
Franca And Paulo
From strength to strength, Melanie. With love and light.
$105.50
Kiss & Drop Cafe
So proud of you! My amazing, brave & determined bestie!!
$105.50
Sandra Stewart - Newhouse
So proud of how well you’ve done 🙌
$105.50
Vince Barila
$105.50
Haz Demirel
$105.50
Vicky Wallace
$105.50
Charlie
❤️
$105.50
Elvi Lanyon
All the best Mel and Barila family with love
$105.50
Chodat Fitness
Mel, we support you 🖤 Love Em,Lukas & Co
$105.50
Daniel Pisani
Wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery. Thinking of you and the family.
$105.50
Paul And Jenna Bottele Bottele
Well done Mel. Xo
$105.50
Mia
Love you guys 🥰
$105.50
Natalie Lucchitti
❤️❤️❤️
$105.50
Jeffrey Chan
Great work Team Barila. Enjoy the stride!
$105.50
Frank & Celia Barila
Go team ❤️
$100
Martina And Nathaniel Gomes
You are remarkable, in every way 💕
$79.13
Alain
$79.13
Lisa Skylas
$79.13
Holly Threadgate
Love you xxx
$79.13
Ziofrank&ziogina
It’s incredible what your body has been through and you stand with a positive mindset to inspire and move forward for awareness of the silent killer that can strike anyone #healthmatters #yougotthis #wellwishes 👍🙌💛
$79.13
Amanda Morgan
Wow. What a journey for you and your family Mel. Good luck with the fundraising!! ❤️❤️
$79.13
Lu Asani
Sending you love and support. You’re amazing x
$75
Joanne Kernot
$52.75
Danielle Flowers
Go, go go!!!
$52.75
Cath Chard
You are so strong and courageous Mel! Sending love and support ♥️
$52.75
Aaron Strother
Mel, you’ve faced your recovery with strength humility and patience. Love to you Frank and all your family x
$52.75
Jane
$52.75
Janelle Coccia
All the best for your recovery Mel x
$52.75
Clare Davison
Hi Mel, Your so courageous and I know for a fact that with your determination and inner strength you'll continue to recover with time. It'll be 6 years on Australia Day 2025 that I had a Stroke, Right Mid Cerebral Artery. I'll hear if you ever want to reach out. You've got this! Best of luck with kicking your goals in Stride4Stroke 💛❤️🤍 Clare
$52.75
Lena Jaqueb
I hope and pray for a quick recovery Melanie and may God bless you and your beautiful family!
$52.75
Carly Lindsay
You are so brave x
$52.75
The Palm Studio
We are happy to show our love and support for this cause 💜
$52.75
Juanita Risorto
I had no idea. I hope your strong recovery continues. Thank you for sharing your story and bringing awareness to this issue.
$52.75
Terese Whitton
Walk well young Mel. Best wishes for your ongoing recovery and your mighty fundraising efforts. xx
$52.75
Suze
$52.75
Mel
Thank you for always being by my side through all the good and bad. You’re an amazing friend and I couldn’t do life without you. Let’s get striding!
$52.75
Daniel Usher
$52.75
Sue Flowers
$52.75
Naomi Testa
Such a great cause! Wishing you the best of luck!
$52.75
Leanne Mackenzie
You are a strong woman Mel. Love to you and your family xx
$52.75
Rose
Great cause! Proud of you xo
$52.75
Chontelle Micevski
You’ve got this Team Barila!
$52.75
Elise Flowers
$52.75
Sherie Fort
I have thought about you often Mel and shocked this happened to someone as young and healthy as yourself. With your beautiful inner self and strength you will continue to thrive I’m sure especially with your beautiful family supporting you Xxx
$52.75
Lilah & Rashaun
❤️ Lilah & Rashaun! GO TEAM BARILA X
$52.75
Anica S
You are truly amazing Lots of love xoxo
$52.75
Jenna Bottele
$52.75
Jai Flowers
$52.75
Melanie Barila
$52.75
Daniella Iacovelli
$52.75
Tanya Katselos
Wishing you a healthy and strong recovery. Big hugs ♥️😘
$52.75
Nick Polimenakos
$52.75
Carol & Charlie Harb
$52.75
Scott Holz
$52.75
Joanne Roy
$52.75
Mel
Thank you for always supporting me. Love you!
$50
Heidi Hodder
$50
Isla & Cara Macbain
❤️
$31.65
Kez
Sending you all the love and support during your recovery
$31.65
Gabi Borris
Well done Jen! Great cause. I’ll be cheering you on!!!
$31.65
Sheree
$30
Carlie Staples
Well done team Barilla. All the best with your continued recovery Mel. X
$30
Claudia Leighton
You are amazing Mel!! Stay strong & positive 💗
$30
Julie Windisch
Amazing courage 🤍
$26.38
Temira Morgan
🤍🤍
$26.38
Sooz Hodge
$26.38
Kerryn Peres
Sorry to hear about what you have been through Mel. Hope your recover is going well. The peres family. Xxxx
$25
Jenny
You’re amazing!
$21.10
Charise Orvad
Hope your friend is ok. Good on you helping raise money x
$21.10
Jude Felton
$15.82
You are an inspiration. Go Team Barila!