News

Brave rock'n'roll dance fan, 9 year old Jessica Redfearne who suffered two strokes just four months ago, has achieved silver medals for dance at theTeeny Bobbers Club in Folkestone.

Jessica's dad Tim Redfearne told the Gazette: "The stroke came out of the blue. She had no medical conditions and was a fit healthy young girl full of fun and life. It was a great shock for us all.

"Jessica attends a rock'n'roll club in Folkestone called the Teeny Bobbers where after only two weeks of her stroke she took her silver medals test and passed.

"While she was in hospital she kept asking if she would be able to take her medal test, and for a long while it was touch and go if they would let her, or even if she would be able to." Tim said.

He went on: "But in the end they agreed.

"If it were not for Margaret and John, who run the dance group, asking for Jessica to have extra time and taking the time to explain things to the dance board, I don't think she would have been able to and would have had to wait a whole year to take it again."

Her father said: "She is now recovering very well but is getting fed up being told she cannot do things due to her being on warfarin and wearing a leg and arm splint."

Jessica has regained much of the use of her right side and is now back at St Mary's school, Ashford.

Childhood strokes are very rare and only around 100 children a year suffer from what is generally considered to be condition suffered by the elderly.

Tim Redfearne explained: "Unfortunately as strokes in children are so rare finding answers and support groups are very difficult."