Jaden Jessen (18) has hailed her brother, Slade, as her hero after his quick actions helped save her life when she suffered a stroke.

About a month ago, the Umtentweni teenager experienced sudden vision loss, facial drooping and acute right-sided paralysis while spending time with Slade, who was fishing at a dam.
Jaden was chatting to her brother, who had just made his first cast, when he noticed something was wrong.

Seeing her fixed gaze and sudden inability to speak or chew, Slade initially assumed a snake had bitten her.

He threw Jaden over his shoulder and rushed her to Dr Derick de Beer, who examined her.
With time rapidly running out, Jaden was admitted to Shelly Beach Hospital, the only healthcare facility on the South Coast equipped with a specialised CathLab and interventional radiology capabilities.

Emergency medical evaluation revealed that Jaden had suffered an acute ischaemic stroke caused by a complete blockage of her right middle cerebral artery, cutting off blood flow to the right hemisphere of her brain.

“She had an acute stroke, which is quite unusual for an 18-year-old,” said Dr Fekade Gebremariam, specialist radiologist at Shelly Beach Hospital.

Imaging confirmed a large vessel occlusion, putting Jaden at immediate risk of permanent paralysis or death.

Dr Gebremariam performed an emergency suction mechanical thrombectomy using advanced Penumbra technology to physically remove the clot and restore blood flow to her brain.

The results were immediate.

Within hours, Jaden regained sensation and movement on her left side. Soon afterwards, she was walking independently, showering and speaking without impairment – a recovery process that can take months or years in traditional stroke cases.

“I didn’t think it was possible at my age to be having a stroke,” said Jaden.

“Everything lined up so well. If I had been sent anywhere else further away, I don’t think I would have survived, or I would have been permanently paralysed. I’m grateful beyond words.”

She thanked Slade for acting quickly, as well as the doctors, hospital staff, family and friends who supported her.

“Jesus was so good to me.”

While Jaden is recovering and currently writing her matric trials at Creston College, she said the emotional impact should not be overlooked.

“It is a super traumatic experience, filled with many what-ifs. I thought I might not be able to regain movement. I don’t wish this feeling on anyone.”

Her experience highlights that stroke can affect people of any age and that rapid, specialised treatment is crucial.

Jaden stressed the importance of recognising symptoms and acting within the critical three-hour window.

Shelly Beach Hospital continues to promote stroke awareness across KZN, emphasising the F.A.S.T. warning signs: facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty and time to call emergency services immediately.

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