About Me
I am a trainee journalist at the University of Sheffield working towards my NCTJ qualification.
I like to write articles centred around people and the problems that affect their daily lives. I love speaking to people and have discovered that interviews and building strong relationships with contacts is one of my strong suits.
I also enjoy entertainment journalism, particularly video games journalism, and have written for hobbyist games site ajgnet.com as well as student publications such as Forge Press and Liberty Belle.
I am active within my university and have undertaken the role of Student Representative for my course, as well as enrolling in the e-mentorship scheme and being on a society commitee.
I have an undergraduate degree in Creative Writing from the University of Birmingham, during which I discovered a love of creative non-fiction.
My Latest Work
Young stroke victims are calling for greater awareness after misdiagnosis
Young stroke patients who were misdiagnosed by medics are calling for action and a greater awareness of their symptoms.
As part of National Stroke Awareness Month, Sheffield Wire has spoken to survivors about their experiences and the fundamental changes they feel would help with a quicker diagnosis.
Lili Vachon is 27. She suffered a stroke in 2021, went to hospital, and was sent home with a migraine after spending hours waiting in A&E without a single test.
She said: “It doesn’t feel good be
As part of National Stroke Awareness Month, Sheffield Wire has spoken to survivors about their experiences and the fundamental changes they feel would help with a quicker diagnosis.
Lili Vachon is 27. She suffered a stroke in 2021, went to hospital, and was sent home with a migraine after spending hours waiting in A&E without a single test.
She said: “It doesn’t feel good be
Sheffield’s Stroke Recovery Service offers support for patients
A stroke survivor has applauded a charity which aims to support and help people regain their confidence after they suffer the potentially life-changing health condition.
Sheffield’s Stroke Recovery Service was set up by Jane Hammond in 2012 after she recognised there was little support for those recovering from a stroke.
Ms Hammond said: “The power of the groups is really significant. Often people struggle to understand what’s happened to them. So there’s a lot of reassurance, information and
Sheffield’s Stroke Recovery Service was set up by Jane Hammond in 2012 after she recognised there was little support for those recovering from a stroke.
Ms Hammond said: “The power of the groups is really significant. Often people struggle to understand what’s happened to them. So there’s a lot of reassurance, information and
“Your body can stand almost anything. It’s your mind that you have to convince”
“Try and smile for me,” asked Georgia Hanson’s mum when she complained of a severe headache after waking up feeling unwell in October 2021.
Knowing something “wasn’t quite right”, Miss Hanson, who was 19 at the time, recalls her vision was blurred and she suffered a sudden loss of sensation in the right side of her face and right arm.
Her mum was using the FAST test to work out if she was showing signs of a stroke.
“I knew what she was thinking. When I couldn’t smile, we both knew exactly wha
Knowing something “wasn’t quite right”, Miss Hanson, who was 19 at the time, recalls her vision was blurred and she suffered a sudden loss of sensation in the right side of her face and right arm.
Her mum was using the FAST test to work out if she was showing signs of a stroke.
“I knew what she was thinking. When I couldn’t smile, we both knew exactly wha
Young stroke survivors call for BE-FAST to help with diagnosis
Young stroke survivors are calling the FAST diagnosis into question after being turned away for not fitting the specified symptoms.
The acronym refers to symptoms commonly experienced by stroke victims and stands for face, arms, speech, and time, but can lead to misdiagnosis for patients who don’t always display these symptoms.
Survivors are instead asking for the abbreviation to be changed to BE-FAST, to include balance and eyes; symptoms more commonly associated with younger people who have
The acronym refers to symptoms commonly experienced by stroke victims and stands for face, arms, speech, and time, but can lead to misdiagnosis for patients who don’t always display these symptoms.
Survivors are instead asking for the abbreviation to be changed to BE-FAST, to include balance and eyes; symptoms more commonly associated with younger people who have
Stroke survivor reflects on how her ‘superpower’ has shaped who she is today
When Bridie Kirsopp woke up with a severe headache, which quickly developed into a blurred vision, vomiting, and leaving her unable to stand up, she knew she wasn’t well, but at 17, couldn’t possibly have guessed she was having a stroke.
Neither did her doctors, but five days later, a CT scan revealed she had a clot on her brain.
“I just never thought it could happen to someone so young,” said the fashion blogger, from Leeds, West Yorkshire.
Although Bridie, now 29, only spent a week in hospi
Neither did her doctors, but five days later, a CT scan revealed she had a clot on her brain.
“I just never thought it could happen to someone so young,” said the fashion blogger, from Leeds, West Yorkshire.
Although Bridie, now 29, only spent a week in hospi
“What we need is a culture change”: Stroke survivor calls for tailored care after locked-in syndrome
A Rotherham public health specialist who was left unable to communicate and move after a stroke has called for changes to the way survivors and their families are supported.
In December 2021, Kate Green, 43, was taking her seven-year-old son, Stanley, swimming when she suddenly had a feeling of exhaustion come over her.
She felt an intense pain in her neck after returning home where her husband, Adam, could sense a problem.
Mrs Green said: “Within minutes I couldn’t move my arms or legs, coul
In December 2021, Kate Green, 43, was taking her seven-year-old son, Stanley, swimming when she suddenly had a feeling of exhaustion come over her.
She felt an intense pain in her neck after returning home where her husband, Adam, could sense a problem.
Mrs Green said: “Within minutes I couldn’t move my arms or legs, coul
“People can sympathise but they can’t empathise”: Peer support group praised for combating isolation in young stroke survivors
A UK-wide charity has made young people feel validated through its peer support group aimed at tackling loneliness in stroke survivors.
Different Strokes is an organisation that connects young people across the country, including Yorkshire, through their shared experiences.
Being run by young stroke survivors for young stroke survivors, the charity set up its own peer-support network, Befrienders, in 2020 after finding a lot of its members felt alone in their journey.
Marketing manager of Dif
Different Strokes is an organisation that connects young people across the country, including Yorkshire, through their shared experiences.
Being run by young stroke survivors for young stroke survivors, the charity set up its own peer-support network, Befrienders, in 2020 after finding a lot of its members felt alone in their journey.
Marketing manager of Dif
“I could have died at home”: Young stroke survivor supports Yorkshire-backed campaign after migraine misdiagnosis
A teacher has voiced her support for a health campaign backed by Yorkshire charities after being sent home by doctors despite suffering a “life-threatening” stroke.
In August 2021, Manchester teacher, Lili Vachon, 27, thought her contact lens had slipped after her vision suddenly became blurred.
Despite taking out her contacts, her eyesight didn’t improve and she knew that something was wrong.
Ms Vachon said: “I just remember everything going sideways, I was trying to speak but nothing was ma
In August 2021, Manchester teacher, Lili Vachon, 27, thought her contact lens had slipped after her vision suddenly became blurred.
Despite taking out her contacts, her eyesight didn’t improve and she knew that something was wrong.
Ms Vachon said: “I just remember everything going sideways, I was trying to speak but nothing was ma
“I had no idea a baby could have a stroke”: A mother’s story of her son’s perinatal stroke
Nine years ago, Rebecca Merritt embarked on what she thought would be the happiest day of her life, the birth of her first child.
Yet what transpired in the following 24 hours was traumatic rather than joyful, and it would only be three months later that doctors would be able to tell her the reason why, leaving her “completely shocked and silent.”
Her son, Jacob, suffered a perinatal stroke in the womb during birth. Rebecca, 17 at the time, wouldn’t find this out until much, much later. Now 26
Yet what transpired in the following 24 hours was traumatic rather than joyful, and it would only be three months later that doctors would be able to tell her the reason why, leaving her “completely shocked and silent.”
Her son, Jacob, suffered a perinatal stroke in the womb during birth. Rebecca, 17 at the time, wouldn’t find this out until much, much later. Now 26
Young stroke victims face “shocking” average ambulance wait of more than five times the NHS target
Young stroke victims face a “shocking” wait of more than 90 minutes for an ambulance.
Georgia Hanson, 20, suffered a stroke in Pontefract when she was 19.
She said: “It is shocking to hear that waiting times for an ambulance for someone suffering a suspected stroke is 90 minutes – it is however, very believable.
“If an ambulance can get to someone suffering a stroke quickly and get them to hospital, then it gives them the best chance possible of making a good recovery.
“It is sad and scary t
Georgia Hanson, 20, suffered a stroke in Pontefract when she was 19.
She said: “It is shocking to hear that waiting times for an ambulance for someone suffering a suspected stroke is 90 minutes – it is however, very believable.
“If an ambulance can get to someone suffering a stroke quickly and get them to hospital, then it gives them the best chance possible of making a good recovery.
“It is sad and scary t
Contact Me
My inbox is always open, you can contact me with the contact form here or with the details below:
Email: mcookejourno@gmail.com