A DAD-to-be may never hold his baby after paramedics allegedly brushed off his stroke as drunk behaviour.
Ion Chiperi, 22, is in critical condition and fighting for his life after suffering a devastating stroke at home in Sevenoaks, Kent.
On the evening of September 23, Ion started to suddenly feel unwell while in bed with his partner, Doina, at home.
Doina, who is eight months pregnant with their child, told MailOnline that Ion couldn’t “feel his legs” and could “barely speak”.
Worried, she urgently called the emergency services and an ambulance soon arrived.
Remarkably, his symptoms were brushed off as drunkenness by paramedics and Ion was told there was nothing to worry about and to simply rest up.
Doina argued that her partner had not been drinking but they reportedly refused to take him to hospital.
A few hours later, Ion took a turn for the worse.
He woke up unable to move his hands or legs and was foaming at the mouth and unresponsive – Doina said she “thought he was dead”.
This time, paramedics raced him to the hospital but doctors allegedly continued to treat him “like a drunk person”.
Despite arriving at the hospital in the morning, he wasn’t sent for a brain scan until around 7pm that evening.
It was later revealed that Ion suffered from a basilar stroke – one of the most severe and life-threatening types.
He underwent emergency thrombectomy surgery and remains in critical condition at Queen’s Hospital in Romford, London.
Ion is unable to move or speak – the only way he can communicate is through blinking his eyes.
His family is raising donations so that he might be able to “move, speak and be with his family again – especially to hold his newborn baby”.
Having already raised nearly £16,000, the funds will go toward his rehabilitation and recovery.
Don’t delay… if you spot signs of a stroke dial 999 immediately
By Lizzie Parry, Head of Health
A STROKE is a medical emergency, that’s why knowing the signs and symptoms is vital.
It happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, killing off cells. The damage caused can affect how the body works, and the effects depend on where in the brain a stroke strikes.
There are three different types of stroke:
- Ischaemic stroke – where a blockage, like a blood clot, cuts off the blood supply to the brain
- Haemorrhagic stroke – caused by a bleed in or around the brain
- Transient ischaemic attack – also known as a ‘mini stroke’, this is a big warning sign of a full-blown stroke. It’s similar to a stroke but symptoms are shorter lived.
Every stroke is different but they can affect a patient’s ability to speak, move, think and feel. They can cause behavioural changes as well as emotional challenges.
They can happen to any of us, regardless of our age. That’s why it’s important to educate yourself on the warning signs.
The faster you get medical help and treatment, the more likely it is that the damage caused can be reversed and stopped in its tracks.
There’s a handy acronym that helps identify the symptoms of a stroke. If you spot these yourself, or in a loved one, do not delay – dial 999 immediately, and tell the call handler you suspect a stroke.
ACT Fast:
- Face weakness – can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
- Arm weakness – can the person raise both arms?
- Speech problems – can the person speak clearly and understand what you’re saying?
- Time to call 999 – if you see any of these signs, get help.
This test helps spot three key signs, but there are other symptoms to be aware of too.
They include sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, sudden blurred vision or loss of sight, sudden confusion or memory loss, dizziness or a sudden fall and a sudden, severe headache.
When it comes to a stroke, the bottom line is take these symptoms seriously. It may well be something more minor, but it pays to be alert and act fast. Not only could it save your life, but it could save you, or a loved one, from long-term, devastating side effects.
For more information about stroke, visit the Stroke Association or the NHS website. And you can read more from the Sun’s Health team on the subject of stroke here.
They said: “Ion has always been a kind, hardworking, and loving person, a devoted husband, and a soon-to-be father.
“His wife is currently pregnant and will soon give birth to their baby.
“This heartbreaking situation has turned their lives upside down, and the road to recovery will be long, difficult, and costly.”
Partner Doina, who is facing the prospect of raising their child alone, is planning to take legal action for medical negligence, reports MailOnline.
She told the outlet that doctors said the paramedics had been “wrong” and Ion “would have walked out of hospital” if the surgery had come sooner.
Dr Fenella Wrigley, Chief Medical Officer at London Ambulance Service, said: “We are very sorry to hear about this case, and recognise how difficult this must be for the patient and his family.
“We take any concerns about the care we provide extremely seriously and will be in contact with the family directly in order to investigate this matter thoroughly.”
Matthew Trainer, Chief Executive, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This is a sad case involving a young man having a stroke unexpectedly and we’re sorry Ion wasn’t referred to our specialist team sooner.
“He was given a head CT scan within 30 minutes of arriving at A&E due to a suspected head injury, which showed no abnormalities.
“Various tests were then carried out to determine the cause of his condition which resulted in him being referred to our stroke team and undergoing a mechanical thrombectomy on the same day.”
