Stroke survivor and son are stepping out at the Glasgow Kiltwalk 13 February 2023 Leeann Armstrong, 47, lives in West Kilbride, Ayrshire, with her husband Thomas and 10-year-old son Mason. In November 2019, Leeann had a stroke that has left her with limited movement on her left side. After a second stroke in August 2020, she also has difficulties with her vision. To raise awareness of stroke and essential funds for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, Leeann and Mason are taking part in the Kiltwalk’s Wee Wander in Glasgow in April. In five short years, Leeann Armstrong’s life has been turned upside down. Back in 2018, she was fit and healthy as she took part in the charity Kiltwalk with husband Thomas. Within the next three years, Leanne had suffered two strokes, leaving her with limited movement on her left side and affecting her vision. Now having to walk with a stick, the 47-year-old is challenging herself to the Kiltwalk once more, this time accompanied by her 10-year-old son Mason and aiming to raise both funds for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and stroke awareness. I want to do something for other people in the same situation. Mason has been so good with me in my recovery, so he wants to be part of the fundraising effort. Leeann, who lives in West Kilbride, Ayrshire, says: “I couldn’t have imagined what was going to happen to me when I did my first Kiltwalk. But I want to do something for other people in the same situation. Mason has been so good with me in my recovery, so he wants to be part of the fundraising effort.” Mum and son will take part in the Kiltwalk’s Wee Wander, a 3.2 mile walk around Balloch, as part of the wider Glasgow Kiltwalk on April 30. Leeann has no specific target in mind but hopes to raise as much as possible for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, which offers help and support to stroke survivors. There was no hint of what was to come when Leeann and husband Thomas went out for a meal to celebrate her birthday in November 2019. Leeann stumbled and fell as they left the restaurant and began to feel more unwell over the next hour. Unable to walk properly, she leaned on Thomas to get home and eventually had to crawl upstairs into bed. It would be another 36 hours before she called NHS24 and was told to go directly to A&E. A scan there confirmed the shock news that she had had a stroke, and she spent the next three weeks in Crosshouse Hospital. I started having trouble with my vision in August 2020, and a scan showed that I’d had a second stroke. I have a white stick I can use, but I find the other walking stick easier to manage with. She recalls: “I had some physio in hospital, but there were no female spaces available at the stroke rehabilitation ward, and I just wanted to get home. The doctors weren’t happy, but eventually they let me go. “I did get some physio over the next couple of months, but that all stopped when Covid-19 hit. I have a walking stick to use outside, but I can get around the house myself. “I started having trouble with my vision in August 2020, and a scan showed that I’d had a second stroke. I have a white stick I can use, but I find the other walking stick easier to manage with.” Despite her physical limitations, Leeann is determined to complete the Wee Wander. Having gained three stones after the stroke, she’s now lost more than a stone and is determined to lose more. She’s bought a walking machine and uses that to help her balance and improve her fitness. She says: “The machine has been great for me, although Mason uses it more! We’re hoping for lots of support from family and friends to get a big total and hoping for good weather on the day.” You can help Leeann and Mason raise much-needed funds for CHSS by donating at their JustGiving page. Inspired? You can join team CHSS and walk with us at the Kiltwalk! Sign up