From stroke to strength: Nikki ready for 100-mile Alpine Challenge

SNOW sports instructor Nikki McKilliam is preparing to take on the 100-mile Alpine Climb in celebration of a decade since her life-altering stroke. Originally from Brisbane, a then 23-year-old Nikki spent her winters as a snow sports instructor in Falls Creek. She then lived the dream of travelling the world, chasing winters in various countries, which eventually took her to the alpine regions of Germany. However, Nikki’s vibrant, active life took a sudden turn when she suffered an ischemic stroke: an extremely rare spinal stroke, while abroad. The symptoms weren’t immediately clear and it took over 32 hours for German doctors to diagnose her condition. “At first, my physio thought it was a slipped disc," Nikki said. "But when the symptoms became more severe, they recognised something more serious was at play and rushed me to the neurologist." Stroke Foundation’s CEO, Dr Lisa Murphy said around 46,000 Australians experienced a stroke in 2023. "Evidence shows that while the overall incidence of stroke has been declining, stroke incidence rates in young people and those of working age have been increasing over time," she said. "It is vitally important that both patients and health professionals are aware of this. "In 2023, one in four strokes occurred in Australians under the age of 65 years.” As a healthy and fit 23-year-old, a stroke wasn't considered a likely diagnosis for Nikki. However, after her first CT scan, the stroke was evident and she was promptly transferred to the stroke ward. “I lost function on my entire left side," Nikki said. "I felt like a pin cushion, having blood thinners injected into me three times a day for nine days to clear the clot. "Then the real challenge began. "I had to remap the wires from my brain to my muscles so they could move again.” In the weeks that followed, Nikki taught herself how to walk, bend her leg and even stand on tiptoes; all by observing how her right leg functioned and mimicking the movements with her left. Incredibly, just six weeks after the stroke, Nikki completed a 10 kilometre run. “It was slow and I had a limp, but I did it," she said. "Once I proved to myself I could run again, nothing could stop me.” Since then, Nikki has incorporated strength training into her routine, a concept new to her but one that has been vital for improving her body awareness and recovery. Today, Nikki is the picture of resilience. To mark her 10-year anniversary of recovery, she’s taking on the Running Wild Alpine Challenge: a 100-mile run which is considered as one of the toughest and most spectacular mountain trail runs in the Southern Hemisphere. “My willpower and belief in myself have been the most powerful tools in my recovery," Nikki said. "It wasn’t easy, but I choose how I view and work with my new reality. "The challenge is tough, but no matter the adversity, I will never stop fighting to reclaim what makes me, me.” Stroke Foundation’s StrokeLine and Enable Me website provides support and information to survivors of stroke, their families and carers about the post stroke recovery journey, you can reach out via: www.strokefoundation.org.au or by calling 1800 787 653.

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