In April this year, as Josie Dooley began her seventh year as a professional cricket player, the 24-year-old felt like she was living the life.

“I moved to Adelaide to take up the opportunity to be a wicketkeeper. I was really excited with how my cricket was going and looking forward to the coming season.”

But life changed instantly when Josie had a sudden stroke while on holidays in Hawaii with her boyfriend Michael. 

Josie remembers feeling extremely tired in the days leading up to her stroke. She’d been in India for a training camp before flying to Honolulu and thought she was exhausted because of her demanding schedule.

Josie and Michael decided to have an early first night in Hawaii. But around 3am, Josie woke up with a splitting headache and started vomiting. She went to the nearest hospital but was discharged after just a few hours.

“I woke again after only two hours sleep," said Josie.

"My head was killing me and I’d lost my vision. I was in a lot of pain, but I thought it was a migraine – I had  no idea how sick I was and that I would end up having a stroke.

“By the time we got to hospital, I couldn’t walk. Michael had to carry me in. And then, I lost consciousness. I don’t remember anything.”

Josie had suffered a stroke caused by an obstructive hydrocephalus – an abnormal build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Even though Josie is young and extremely fit, it’s a condition that can affect anyone from birth, and sometimes only presents in adulthood.

Josie’s mum, Leanne, remembers how stressful the whole experience was for the family back in Brisbane.

“Michael was ringing us constantly with updates, and things were getting worse as the day unfolded." said Leanne.

“First we were told she needed emergency neurosurgery to treat her hydrocephalus.   The doctor then noticed concerning neurological signs and she was immediately intubated (suffering what we would later learn was a major cerebellar stroke). From there she developed a rare form of cardiomyopathy and pulmonary oedema.

"She declined so quickly and we were beside ourselves at the airport. Thankfully they were able to stabilise her for the emergency flight to Honolulu, just as we boarded our own, long flight.”

Josie’s family were at her bedside constantly in Honolulu for nearly a month, including 18 days in intensive care. Once stable, Josie was medically evacuated to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) for further treatment.

From that moment on, the medical care Josie received at RBWH and the rehabilitation program she started soon after through our Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) were absolutely crucial to her recovery.

STARS is one of the largest specialist rehabilitation services in the southern hemisphere, ensuring patients like Josie receive the care they need, leading to the best possible outcomes.

Josie’s recovery advanced in leaps and bounds thanks to the team at STARS – and the support of people like you. She was ecstatic to take her first unassisted walk only two months after her stroke.

Josie’s loved ones and her cricket family have been by her side throughout her recovery. What has amazed her most is the striking similarity between being part of a cricket team and the teamwork displayed by the doctors and clinicians dedicated to supporting her recovery.

“The STARS crew were amazing and looked after me so well. I’d have one or two physiotherapy and two occupational therapy sessions a day, as well as speech therapy. It was like I was back in pre-season training, which I loved.” 

This Christmas will be particularly special for Josie and her family, as they know how close they came to not being able to spend it together.

“It’s going to be a very emotional time when we reflect on Josie’s incredible battle and the speed of her recovery, which has exceeded everyone’s expectations,” said Leanne.

Please consider making a gift today to help give the gift of time to families like Josie’s, so they can continue to enjoy every precious moment with the people they love this Christmas.

“Early on in my recovery, I didn’t know if I’d get back to cricket, but to see how far I’ve come already with the support of doctors and the team at STARS, I’m very hopeful," said Josie.

“It makes such a difference, knowing that the team behind you is being funded to try to come up with new ideas and treatment innovations.”