National bravery award for stroke survivor Mike

RAHEEN stroke hero Mike Joy was honoured for his inspiring bravery and courage at this year’s Irish Heart Foundation Life After Stroke Awards.

The 49-year-old, who collapsed suffering a stroke on a football pitch while training underage GAA players over a year ago, scooped ‘The Adult Courage Award’ at the Boeheringer Ingelheim awards to acknowledge the resilience of stroke patients and their carers.

The Limerick man was one of 11 award recipients at the event hosted by Marty Whelan in Dublin last week.

Commenting on Mike’s award, stroke nurse Nora Cunningham said: “A very active man with a young family, it was a very difficult time for Mike after his stroke.”

“He underwent intensive rehabilitation and through sheer determination, has made an almost full recovery. Recently he told his story to a room full of medical students and received a standing ovation for his inspirational rendition of his experience,” she said.

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“A stroke can happen to anyone at any age. Every day small miracles happen and our 11 award winners represent the heroic efforts of all stroke survivors, families and carers nationwide who are dealing with this illness,” he explained.