Marathon-running dad's devastating diagnosis left him unable to walk

A fit and healthy dad who ran marathons received a devastating diagnosis that left him unable to walk and struggling to speak. Steve D’Arcy lost the use of his right side when he suffered a huge stroke in January 2019, with doctors unable to pinpoint the cause.

Steve, from Yeovil, had been a delivery driver but is now unable to work. Support from his family and the Stroke Association has helped him rebuild his life, along with his passion for gaming - and he's now dubbed himself "the one-handed gamer".

He is taking on a 12-hour sponsored gaming challenge for the charity which will see him play games including Call of Duty, Rocket League, APEX and Arcadia - using only one hand and his chin. Steve suffers from extreme fatigue following his stroke, making it all the more difficult.

READ MORE: Girl takes first steps at 18 after being told she would never walk

READ MORE: Controversial LTN will go ahead 'as soon as possible' - without public consultation

Steve, 42, said gaming had given him hope after his stroke as it was something he could still enjoy despite his disabilities: “When I had my stroke it took away my whole right hand side. I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t speak clearly. The outcome looked bleak and I thought my life was going to change for the worst.

“I had a massive passion for gaming. With time and with learning came an effect that I didn’t know… it would help me recover by giving me the courage and the confidence to go again and just try new goals because I could game the same as everyone else and win. I knew that if I could do that, I could do anything.

“Gaming improved my cognitive thinking, it improved my speech massively. It’s been an in-home therapy."

This will be Steve’s third stream for the Stroke Association and his previous two raised £1,500. He has set himself a target of £1,000 which will help the Stroke Association support other stroke survivors and carers.

He said: "My event is going to be a 12-hour stream marathon. It’s going to involve gaming, giveaways, tournaments and talks. It’s going to be a lot of fun.

“It’s going to be challenging mentally and with my fatigue. With me using one hand and using my chin and lip to control and push the button it it’s going to hurt my left arm.

“When someone who hasn’t had a stroke picks up a control pad they can sit there and play without thinking. I’ve got to think five times more about everything I do. People see me on screen how I use my chin and my mouth to control the buttons. I have a paddle on the back. It’s very difficult for me.

"I would do 24 hours but fatigue would knock me out. 12 hours feels like an eternity. I can normally only go about three hours before I get too tired."

Steve also hopes to raise awareness of the devastating effects strokes can have - and highlight the support available.

He said: “From the start the support from the Stroke Association was massive. The first people I called was the Stroke Association. They give me tips on how to set goals. They started me off on my miraculous journey all the way.

"My daughter Sophie was only nine when I had my stroke. The people around you have got to live a different way. Their lives change as well. It’s all a stress.

“I want to get stroke awareness out there. I want to put out the message to get a blood pressure monitor, look at your diet and exercise, get in contact with your body or one day it will get in touch with you, and it won’t be good. If I can help someone think about their health, then that’s my goal."

Steve’s Gaming Marathon will start at 12noon on Saturday, August 31. To make a donation go to https://justgiving.com/page/stephen-darcy-1721055072729

You can watch Steve’s challenge and get involved live on his twitch channel.