Lowe against Stroke

We are taking part in the TCS London Marathon as part of #TeamStroke

Some people will know that Clinton's Dad, Mac, suffered a stroke in August 2024. This is a devastating diagnosis for anyone but particularly for Mac who would exercise daily, windsurf at weekends and design pylons for work. In a matter of moments, he lost so many abilities.

A stroke causes permanent damage to the brain, after an area loses blood supply, usually because of a blood clot. For Mac, symptoms were initially confusion and disorientation. On a day he should have arrived for windsurfing at 9am, he turned up at 5pm after the lake was closed, attempting to get on to the water after everyone had left. Luckily someone there who knew Malcolm intercepted him, and when it became obvious that something was wrong, he drove Mac to the emergency department where stroke was eventually diagnosed. The next day found Mac in a hospital bed, head aching, facing the unknown of what his life would now be like. 

Recovery is ongoing, Mac continues to have issues with poor concentration, memory and distractibility. This has led to early retirement, hanging up the windsurfing kit and relearning how to solve the Rubix cube, something that before he did with ease. 

We have been inspired by Mac’s drive to return to normality after the stroke, running, practising the clarinet and refusing to accept a reduced function as normal. 

London Marathon was already on Jess’s race schedule for the year, but when Clinton gained an entry via his running club ballot, it seemed like a great opportunity to share Mac’s story and raise awareness and funds for the Stroke Association. For someone so fit and active like Mac, it was a shock to all of us. Stroke can happen to anyone and recognising the symptoms early can save someone’s life. Fingers crossed that Mac keeps recovering and if you can, please support this fantastic organisation so they can carry on with the great work they do.

Thank you so much for your help and generosity.

Clinton and Jess, April 2025