A 16-year-old schoolboy missed his first ever job interview – because he had a STROKE.
James Garland was found by his mum Fiona collapsed in his bedroom – just hours before he was meant to go to interview for a Saturday job.
Arriving at their home in Maidstone, Kent, she found James slumped in his chair, unable to speak or move his right side – but at first thought he was playing a prank on her.
Fiona, who works as a dinner lady, said: “He was conscious but not able to speak to me.
“At first I thought he was having me on as he has that sort of personality where he mucks around a lot.
“I had the phone in my hand saying to him that I was ringing the ambulance – when he didn’t respond I knew something was wrong.”
Doctors at Maidstone Hospital found a blood clot in the 16-year-old’s brain and James became the youngest new addition to the stroke ward, after his episode last October.
Determined James was back at school after just two weeks and now his recovery is almost complete, he’s hoping to pursue a career in acting.
Fiona said: “James now has to be on blood thinners for the rest of his life.
“Two weeks after his stroke James was back at school doing a normal daily routine. It’s incredible how he has recovered so well.
“He still has a bit of physio to help his right hand that still isn’t good, but other than that he is my son again.”
“I am so proud of both of them and especially proud of James for coming back to us.”
Now aged 17, the deputy head boy and aspiring actor will in a play about his ordeal and recovery at Maidstone’s Hazlitt Theatre this month.
He said: “I hope people take the message away what can happen during a stroke and what happens afterwards.
“I’d like to thank my drama teacher Jamie Minshull, who inspired me to continue with drama, as well as the rest of the performing arts team at New Line Learning Academy.
“I’d also like to say thanks to my mum and all the family who helped me.”
