Paul Fink

When Paul was 34, he suffered a severe stroke that affected his speech, movement and cognitive abilities. At the time he was a new father, a marathon runner and an IT project manager.

After the stroke, Paul was in a coma for weeks, underwent multiple brain surgeries and spent many months in full time rehabilitation. He experiences paralysis on his right side and Aphasia, a comprehension and communication disorder resulting from brain damage.

Ten years on, Paul has rebuilt his life, learning to speak, walk, read and write again. He has climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, run the Melbourne Marathon, and has spent time volunteering for organisations including The Stroke Foundation, Emmy Monash Aged Care and The Nappy Collective. He has provided peer support at the Alfred Hospital, speaking to stroke survivors and their families.

Paul writes a blog to raise awareness and benefit other stroke survivors, and hosts a podcast, Stroke of Luck, in which he interviews people about how they have overcome adversity. A frequent guest on other podcasts, he has been a public speaker for five years, sharing his experience with many organisations, including hospitals, universities and schools.

He lives in Melbourne with his wife and three sons.