Tom Trotman

I'm taking part in the TCS London Marathon 2027 with #TeamStroke

I was born with a stroke and have lived my entire life with right-side hemiplegia. Because it’s something I’ve always known, I’ve learned to adapt, finding ways to work around everyday challenges that others might not think twice about. From simple tasks like holding items without dropping them, to participating in sports growing up, I’ve had to constantly adjust and find my own way of doing things.

While I consider myself fortunate to live a full and active life, there are still daily reminders of my condition. I often experience frustration knowing that one side of my body functions normally, while the other presents ongoing challenges. These experiences have shaped my resilience, but they’ve also made me realise how little I truly understand about my own condition.

Running the London Marathon for the Stroke Association is an opportunity for me to change that. I want to use this journey not only as a personal challenge, but to educate myself more deeply about hemiplegia and strokes and to understand how I can better look after my health and reduce the risk of further complications in the future.

More importantly, I want to raise awareness. Hemiplegia is often misunderstood or overlooked, and I would love to use this platform to help others better understand what it means to live with it day to day. Through sharing my story, I hope to bring my network along on this journey highlighting both the visible and invisible challenges, while also showing what is possible with the right support.

The work of the Stroke Association in helping people rebuild their lives after having a stroke is incredibly important. Being able to represent a charity that supports individuals facing challenges like mine would mean a great deal to me. I would be proud to raise funds and awareness for a cause that not only supports recovery but empowers people to live as fully and independently as possible.

Taking on the London Marathon would be a significant personal milestone, but also a chance to contribute to something much bigger than myself. It’s an opportunity to turn my lived experience into something positive raising awareness, supporting others, and continuing to push my own boundaries.