Two years ago, Martine Rastorfer was a healthy, active 44-year-old woman. She spent her time horseback riding, working, and being a mother of five until she was rendered unable to move by a double brain stem and cerebral stroke.

As May is Stroke Awareness Month, she is sharing her story and reminding people of all ages not to take their health for granted, as tragedy could strike at any time.

“A lot of people, I did as well at a time, thought that strokes are for people who are retired and not for young people. Really, strokes don’t have any (target) age. There are many children that have strokes now.”

With countless visits to a physiotherapist and daily gym visits, Rastorfer was able to gain back the ability to walk and talk.

“I’m very fortunate. I know that. Maybe one per cent can get it all back. Usually, people have huge disabilities. They can’t walk or even talk,” she explains. “I had to learn to hold my head (up) to sit. I couldn’t move my hands over the table because that takes power to slide your hands over the table. I couldn’t move my tongue from the corner of my mouth to the (other corner).”

With hopes of preventing strokes for others, she encourages people of all ages to stay active and be conscious of the foods they’re eating.

“I would love to encourage people to be very physical, more physical. Instead of being on the couch or the Xbox, challenge yourself and look at your diet and look at your physical activity.”

Although she now has her range of motion back, Rastorfer explains that she is still easily winded.

“Running to the mailbox, no. I don’t think I could do that…I can barely do laundry…So really, I’m useless. There’s not much I can do.”