Sarah | Mum on a Mission 🧡💙👣

Every step has a purpose 💙🧡 Did you know Jamie helped cofound an initiative with his employer, TBIG, and Stroke Aotearoa called Health15? After his stroke, everything changed for our family. But from that moment came a drive to make a difference, so others might recognise the signs, get help faster, or even prevent a stroke altogether. Health15 brings quick, free health checks directly to worksites and industry events across Aotearoa, making it simple for people to stop, check in, and learn more about their health in the middle of a busy day. Last week alone, the team attended two major conferences and provided over 200 health checks across the property and construction sector. Jamie was down in Christchurch for BuildUP26, where Petra Bagust was the MC and shared Jamie’s story on stage. It would have been so special to hear, especially after growing up watching her on TV. Definitely a full circle moment! And this is exactly why we step. Every walk, every kilometre, every bit of support for Stroke Aotearoa helps continue this work, raising awareness, supporting family, and helping prevent strokes before they happen. Still moving forward and always with purpose 💙🧡👣 @ajsummers2019 @strokeaotearoanz @petrabagust @health15_nz @strokefdn @thestrokeassociation @young_stroke_survivors @strokeonward @strokesurvivorsfoundation @thestrokefoundation @propertycouncilnz #StepForStrokenz #StrokeAotearoa #Health15 #StrokeAwareness #movingforward

👣 Welcome to Steps for Stroke This page is about steps, stories and support. In September, Jamie and I will walk 115km from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela on the Camino, rain, hail or shine, to raise awareness and funds for Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand. I’m walking as the wife of a stroke survivor. After Jamie’s stroke in 2019, our family learned how suddenly life can change, and how important support, guidance and connection are in the days, months and years that follow. This walk isn’t about ticking off kilometres or chasing a bucket-list adventure. It’s about walking with purpose, honouring every stroke survivor and their family, and helping make sure no one feels alone on their recovery journey. Here, we’ll share training, reflections, stroke awareness, and moments from the road as we prepare for the Camino. If you’d like to support our walk or share this page, we’re incredibly grateful. Every step and every bit of support helps 💙 (You’ll find the donation link in our bio.) Thank you for being here. We’re glad you’re walking alongside us.

Why stroke? 💛 Stroke is not something we ever imagined would be part of our story. Just weeks after Jamie and I got married, our life changed overnight. We were meant to be on our honeymoon and planning Christmas with our little boy. Instead, Jamie was in hospital after a stroke, something I thought only happened to older people. Those early weeks were a blur of hospital visits, autopilot days, and trying to keep life as normal as possible for our family. Christmas looked nothing like we had imagined. When Jamie came home, recovery became our focus. I did not stop to think about how I was coping. It felt like it was not about me. I just got on with it. Looking back now, I can see how isolating that time was. There is no guidebook for being a first time mum and suddenly navigating life after stroke. You do not know what you do not know until you are living it. We are walking the Camino to raise awareness of stroke and to support families who find themselves on this path unexpectedly. Because stroke does not just affect one person. It changes the lives of everyone around them. If stroke has touched your family, you are not alone 🤍 Thank you for being here and supporting our journey.

Out and about, getting in the steps for a special cause, on another beautiful autumn day 👣🍂 #stepsforstrokenz #strokesurvivor #caminotraining #healthandfitness #strokeawareness

Every year, around 9,500 New Zealanders have a stroke, with 1 in 4 adults over 25 impacted in their lifetime. It is not just something that affects older people either. More than a third of strokes happen in younger people too, just like Jamie. Up to 90% of strokes are considered preventable. Often through small lifestyle changes and things that can genuinely change the outcome before it becomes life changing. That is exactly why Health15 exists. What started as a stroke prevention idea has grown into something much bigger, with free health and wellness checks now going directly into workplaces and construction sites across New Zealand. Blood pressure and heart health checks, diabetes awareness, skin checks, and mental health conversations, all focused on making it easier for everyday working people to take control of their health before something goes wrong. When Simeon Brown heard about the impact of what was happening, the Health15 team was invited to Parliament to share how this has developed into one of New Zealand’s leading workplace health and wellbeing initiatives. Real change doesn’t always start in hospitals later on. It starts earlier, in workplaces, on site, and in the middle of everyday life where people are actually living and working. Very proud of Jamie as he keeps working towards a healthier construction industry across New Zealand and raising awareness as he goes. #stepsforstrokenz #strokeawareness #workplacewellness #stroke #health15

The littlest moments can have the biggest meaning. These are the things that end up mattering most. 💙 #stepsforstrokenz #strokesurvivor #caminotraining #littlemomentsbigmemories #newzealandlife

Some things about stroke just aren’t talked about enough. Sharing a few that might help someone recognise the signs, understand the impact, or feel a little less alone in it. #stepsforstrokenz #strokeawareness #strokestory #factsyoushouldknow #healthandwellness

Health15 is doing more than turning up on worksites. It’s saving lives. Did you know Health15 isn’t just delivering free health and wellness checks to construction workers on sites across New Zealand? It’s also an award winning initiative. Last year, Jamie was honoured to win the Health, Safety and Wellness Award at the Building Institute Aotearoa Awards, sponsored by Southbase Construction. And to make it even more special, the award was presented by Paddy Gower. What makes this one feel pretty special is that Health15 was built around a really simple idea. Getting health and wellness support to people where they are. On site, at work, in places where health often gets pushed to the bottom of the list. From blood pressure checks and heart health, to stroke awareness, mental health conversations, diabetes screening and skin checks, it’s starting conversations that genuinely save lives. So proud of Jamie and the whole Health15 team!! #Health15 #strokeawareness #constructionindustry #healthandwellness #workplacewellness

Every step counts…even the sassy ones! 😅

Steps worth celebrating…always. #stepsforstrokenz #strokesurvivor #firststeps #stroke #determination

After my last post, I kept thinking about this. So many people don’t know much about stroke, until it affects someone they love. If this helps even one person recognise the signs, that matters. This is part of my inspiration and motivation to keep doing this 💙🧡👣

Jumping on another trend but so many things to be grateful for! 💙🧡 #stepsforstrokenz #stroke #grateful #familyadventures #newzealandlife