A GIRL who almost died after collapsing in the street when she was just ten-years-old has won a national Life After Stroke Award.

Emily Simpson, now 13, is due to be presented with the Children and Young People’s Courage Award at a star-studded ceremony at the Rosewood Hotel in London later today (Thursday, June 25).

The teenager, from Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, was just 10 when she suffered a stroke in July 2012. She collapsed in the street while walking her dog with a friend and was taken to the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton where she had an MRI scan.

It revealed Emily’s symptoms were caused by a stroke and she was rushed to the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle.

Another scan revealed her brain was swelling, caused by another stroke and Emily underwent an emergency operation to remove part of her skull to relieve the pressure.

Her parents were advised that she may not survive.

The Northern Echo:

INSPIRATIONAL: Carolyn Simpson, left, and her daughter, stroke victim Emily Simpson, when she was 11 and first featured in The Northern Echo.

Emily’s mother, Carolyn, said: “It was such a shock. I couldn’t believe it as she was so young and healthy. The night they operated was the worst night of my life. Eventually we were told the surgery had been a success. I went to see Emily and she looked so helpless.

“Emily’s recovery has been slow, but she has an irrepressible determination to get on with life. She just lights up every room she is in and wants to be a model and an inspiration for other people with disabilities. I’m so proud of her."

After the operation, Emily had to wear a protective helmet for eight months and had a further operation to replace a piece of her skull. She also needed six months of chemotherapy.

The stroke left her with a condition affecting her speech and she lost the use of her right side and has undergone intensive physiotherapy and speech therapy.

Now the Bishopsgarth School pupil is able to walk with the aid of a splint and is learning to write with her left hand.

She has also learned how to swim, using only her arm and leg, while snorkelling on holiday and is training to do the 4k Mini Great North Run in September 2015 with her friend Katy.

Jon Barrick, Chief Executive of the Stroke Association said: “She’s been through more in her young life than many of us will ever have to and is using her experience of stroke to help others."