I think it’s great that Emmerdale is tackling this important issue through its current storyline.
Over recent weeks, fan-favourite, Marlon Dingle, has sadly suffered from a serious ischemic stroke to the left side of his brain and was taken to hospital. Since then, viewers have watched him embark on his recovery journey as he has been released from hospital and is now home with his family. The soap has been careful to convey to its viewers how the life-changing illness is impacting not only Marlon but also his fiancé Rhona, his daughter, April, and best friend, Paddy, while also aiming to educate viewers on the early warning signs of having a stroke.
By showing a realistic portrayal of Marlon’s symptoms and condition in this way, the programme’s producers are helping to remind thousands of viewers of the signs to look out for and what action needs to be taken.
In the storyline, Charnock’s character Marlon was rushing to find an engagement ring so he could propose to his girlfriend Rhona Goskirk (portrayed by Zoë Henry) when suddenly he found that his vision was becoming impaired. His movements slowed down and the background music became warped, warning the audience that something wasn’t right. As his vision became blurry, the programme’s editors used special effects to give an insight into what Marlon was seeing. As he looked in the mirror, he could see that one side of his face had dropped and he quickly collapsed to the floor.
We heard Marlon’s thoughts as he desperately attempted to remember the FAST acronym. Somebody has a stroke every five minutes in the UK and they can happen to anyone at any age, at any time, so it is extremely important for everyone to remember what FAST stands for:
Face: Has someone’s mouth or eye drooped?
Arms: Can the person raise both arms?
Speech: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
Time: To call 999 if you see any of the signs.
Unable to call for help, Marlon had to wait paralysed on the floor until his daughter found him and called for an ambulance. He needed to undergo emergency surgery to remove the clot that was blocking the artery to his brain. Following the operation, Marlon’s facial palsy was not so pronounced but as often happens, the stroke had affected Marlon’s speech, cognition and motor functions.
Is the storyline true to life?
While the Emmerdale storyline is clearly fictional and is intended for dramatic purposes, the programme’s writers and editors have evidently worked hard to make sure the events are as true to life as possible. Ischaemic strokes are the most common type of stroke. They happen when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. These blood clots typically form in areas where the arteries have been narrowed or blocked over time by fatty deposits known as plaques. When someone suffers from an ischaemic stroke, their brain loses two million brain cells every minute so immediate action is essential.
In Emmerdale, Marlon’s fiancée is warned that his rehabilitation will take months and that he will have to re-learn how to complete simple tasks like getting dressed and making a cup of tea. When Marlon gets home from hospital, his young daughter worries that she’ll let her father down as he chokes on the water she has given him. In emotional scenes, we see the family attempt to rebuild their lives while struggling to cope with Marlon’s jumbled thoughts and speech difficulties.
Mark Charnock, who plays Marlon, has admitted that he feels a big responsibility to get it right for the survivors and their families and for those who’ve lost loved ones to this awful event.
What are the after-effects of a stroke?
Stroke is the most common non-traumatic cause of acquired brain injury. After a stroke, most people will experience some type of disability, from paralysis and memory loss to balance loss and difficulty swallowing or talking. These adverse reactions take time to heal, and sometimes it is impossible to make a full recovery. However, with the proper treatment and recovery, most people can return to normal life.
Pneumonia is also a common complication that occurs because of swallowing difficulties which approximately half of all stroke patients experience and can cause aspiration and respiratory infections if left untreated.
Unfortunately, many people who suffer from a stroke are left unattended longer than Marlon, which can seriously affect their recovery. The longer a stroke goes untreated, the greater the chance of more extensive brain damage and disability. Ischaemic strokes unfold over a period of 10 hours during which time, if left untreated, the brain can age up to 36 years.
Are stroke sufferers entitled to compensation?
Unfortunately, many stroke patients are unable to seek help for themselves due to the nature of the attack so there is a huge responsibility on bystanders, whether that’s friends, family members, colleagues or strangers who happen to be around, to ensure the affected individual receives prompt medical attention.
However, there are many examples of stroke sufferers having been awarded compensation after medics have failed to diagnose symptoms of an impending stroke, delayed starting treatment or have mistaken stroke symptoms for the symptoms of mental health problems or for the effects of alcohol, drugs or medication. Delays and failures in the diagnosis and treatment of stroke or underlying conditions can have a major emotional, practical and financial impact on those affected and their families. It is important to get advice from a specialist solicitor who is experienced in dealing with similar cases.
Have you been affected?
If you would like more information and support on strokes, please visit the Stroke Association or call their helpline on 0303 3033 100.
At Harding Evans, our supportive and professional clinical negligence team have significant experience in dealing with cases involving strokes. To speak to a member of our friendly and supportive team, please contact us at hello@hevans.com or call 01633 244233 for a confidential discussion.
