Kerry's L300 Go Story.

Mother of two, Kerry, 35 from Stoke on Trent had a very active life with a six-year-old daughter and a new baby boy. By profession, she balanced the demanding roles of a full-time probation officer and a part-time personal trainer. Having previously dedicated a decade of her life to the army, fitness was more than just a hobby for Kerry; it was a way of life. “If I’m not drenched in sweat, I don’t feel like I’ve put in the effort!” If anyone asked her favourite exercise, the answer was always the same: “Burpees!”

While on maternity leave, she embraced her love for personal training and cherished time with her baby boy. However, everything changed one Saturday morning in June 2023. After teaching an aqua aerobics class on the Friday night, Kerry woke up the next morning feeling unusually groggy. As the morning unfolded, her unsteadiness grew, and simple tasks like lifting a kettle, became impossible. Sensing something was seriously wrong, she called for help.

After a call to 111, an ambulance rushed her to the hospital, where doctors delivered the shocking diagnosis, a stroke! “You never think it’ll happen to you,” Kerry reflected, grappling with the reality that, at just 34, she was the youngest patient on the stroke ward. “I was so fit; I thought I was invincible.”

Fortunately, the medical team managed to disperse the blockage, but the stroke had left its mark—spasticity and weakness affected her right side, making everyday tasks like walking a challenge. Once discharged, Kerry spent six weeks at a rehab facility in Burslem; this was crucial for her recovery while her husband was at home juggling his job and caring for their new born.

Following her stay in Burslem, Kerry secured funding for twelve weeks at a private hospital in Birmingham, where she had an intense programme of physiotherapy to support her rehab. Kerry found herself pushing harder than ever, determined to reclaim her strength. By the end of October 2023, she returned home just in time to celebrate her son’s first birthday, continuing her physio sessions and home exercises diligently.

After the stroke, her right foot and ankle were weakened, leading to drop foot, causing frequent trips and exhaustion during walks and in March 2024, Kerry’s path took a promising turn at Dorset Orthopaedic in Burton-on-Trent. There, she was fitted with the Bioness L300 Go.

The Bioness L300 Go system utilises Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) to stimulate the muscles that have become weakened due to damage to the brain or spinal cord. The electrical charge stimulates the muscle to contract, causing the joint to move.

The Bioness L300 Go system is designed to lift the foot as you walk, this improves the users gait pattern and makes walking smoother and safer as the user is less likely to catch their foot on the ground. “With the FES, I can walk quite far,” Kerry shared with a sense of empowerment in her voice. “It’s given me my independence back. I can take my daughter for walks without worrying about falling or getting tired.”

Exercise had always been Kerry’s anchor for her mental health and, as she navigated the emotional challenges of relying on others following her stroke, she was determined and motivated to regain this part of her life. The L300 Go not only restored her physical mobility but also reignited her sense of self-sufficiency. “I started weight training again and using the bike. My ankle feels stronger from using the FES and I can even jump with it on!” she beamed. “Using the FES on my leg allows me to shift my focus to getting the mobility back in my arm and hand.”

Kerry’s ultimate goal is to run again. “I used to run a lot, and I can’t wait to get back to that,” she said.

As she looks forward to more cherished moments with her children before returning to work in the new year, Kerry’s journey stands as a powerful testament to resilience and the unwavering spirit of a mother reclaiming her independence.