It’s been nearly five months since 43-year-old South African singing sensation Lira suffered a stroke while on tour in Germany - her recovery is going well.
In May of this year, she wrote on Instagram that physically she was strong but that the stroke had affected her speech. She asked her fans to pray for her - those prayers have been answered.
A short clip on her social media platform posted Monday together with a caption read: “ 5 months and still alive and kicking. I’m grateful for the gift of LIFE. I’m making incredible progress and enjoying the much-needed break. One lesson I’ve learned is to slow down, smell the roses and savor each moment”.
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According to the South African Heart and Stroke Foundation every day in South Africa nearly 240 people suffer a stroke of which 70 will die. Some people who survive a stroke will recover fully but many people will be left with lasting disabilities.
What is a stroke?
A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. One of the arteries carrying oxygen and nutrients to a part of the brain suddenly becomes blocked or bursts. This means that part of the brain does not receive the blood it needs, so the affected brain cells are damaged and some die. During a stroke parts of the brain may be permanently damaged causing the person to experience the symptoms of stroke. It is very similar to what happens in a heart attack, so is often referred to as a ‘brain attack’.
Read more about the different types of strokes, the causes of a stroke, treatment, and rehabilitation. Most strokes can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle and treating conditions such as high blood pressure, or cholesterol and diabetes.
