Natalie Kunicki, a 23-year-old paramedic with the London Ambulance Service, never imagined that cracking her neck could change her life. One night after a casual evening watching movies, she stretched her neck and heard the usual “crack.” Moments later, she collapsed—unable to move her left leg.

Natalie had suffered a stroke. The movement ruptured a major artery in her neck, causing a blood clot to form in her brain. The diagnosis was shocking. She didn’t smoke, rarely drank, and had no family history. “It felt surreal,” she said. “I was 23 and needed help showering. I lost my independence overnight.”

Despite her fear and hesitation—especially about calling 999 while tipsy—Natalie reached out for help. After emergency surgery, she began the long road to recovery. With the support of close friends, she tackled rehab head-on, pushing through therapy milestones and slowly regaining movement.

Now, Natalie is on a mission to raise awareness about strokes in young people. “Even I didn’t realize how common it is,” she admits. “You can have a stroke at any age—even from something as simple as stretching your neck.”

Her story is a powerful reminder: don’t ignore the signs—and never assume you’re too young for something serious.