System • Image and Text


SUMMER'S STORY


Summer is on a mission to raise awareness for childhood strokes, and to help other young people like her feel seen, supported, and understood.

On March 17, 2023, just one day before her auntie’s wedding, 13-year-old Summer was eating breakfast when her life changed in an instant. With no warning, she suffered a spinal stroke, leaving her paralysed from the neck to the waist for four long weeks.

Faced with uncertainty and fear, Summer chose to fight. She refused to give in, becoming not just a spinal stroke survivor but a warrior, determined to reclaim her life.

Today, she continues to live with the lasting effects of spinal cord damage and the reality of being a childhood stroke survivor. Summer is now looking to bring together the equine community and her story using the incredible bond between horse and rider to raise awareness, spark conversation, and make some real noise for childhood stroke survivors.

Together, we can help change the narrative, and ensure every child facing a stroke has hope, support, and a fighting chance.

As a family, we made the difficult decision to discharge Summer early from hospital. The therapy she so desperately needed simply wasn’t available. But Summer knew her greatest motivation was waiting for her at home - her beloved pony, Cindy.

After four weeks apart Summer knew Cindy needed her, and deep down, she needed Cindy just as much. Their connection was inseparable.
With Cindy by her side, Summer set out to create her own rehabilitation programme, one fuelled by love, purpose, and determination. This wasn’t just about recovery, this was the moment the real fight began.



Help Summer...

Find out more and if you think you can help in any way, we would love to hear from you

CHALLENGES

At present, the UK does not have a dedicated national registry for childhood stroke. The Stroke Association has recognised this critical gap and is campaigning for a UK-wide database to raise awareness, speed up diagnosis, and improve treatment outcomes for young people affected by stroke and we want to be part of this fight for the UK to have a national registry for Childhood Strokes.

Spinal cord strokes are even rarer;- they account for just 1.25% of all strokes . While precise UK childhood spinal stroke rates aren't widely published, this global percentage reflects their rarity across all age groups. At only 13 years old, Summer became part of that small statistic when she suffered a spinal stroke that changed her life forever.

For the past two years, we’ve fought tirelessly, searching for answers, exploring new treatments, and seeking therapies that could help Summer reclaim the life that was so suddenly taken from her.

But Summer isn’t just focused on her own recovery, she’s determined to change how people think about strokes, especially in young people. She wants to help create a stronger network of support, raise awareness, and ensure that no other child feels lost or forgotten in the fight for recovery. Summer is now 15. She was a passionate gymnast and talented tumbler, she thrived in sport and found her true love in horse riding, especially with her beloved horse, Cindy. Despite everything she has endured over the past two years, Summer’s determination and unshakable positivity have never wavered. For her, the comeback is deeply personal.

We were told those first 12 months of rehabilitation are critical, yet vital community services were incomplete, delayed, or unavailable. For children like Summer, intensive rehabilitation simply isn’t guaranteed within the NHS or local authority systems.

But we refuse to believe her future is limited by timeframes or statistics. Summer’s fight isn’t over, and neither is ours...


System • Text and Image
System • Image and Text

WHAT IS A CHILDHOOD STROKE?


Several hundred children are diagnosed with a stroke every year in the UK. The impact of a stroke in children can be devastating, leaving survivors unable to move, see, speak or even swallow.  Whilst the effects of childhood stroke can be the same as in adults, the causes of stroke in children are very different. Possible causes include heart and blood disorders, infections, and vascular problems. Sometimes there is no known cause.  

The common signs of a stroke are often presented in children, but because there is often no clear cause it may take a long time for the stroke to be determined. That is why it is vital to spot the signs of a stroke no matter what age the person may be. Call 999 if any one stroke symptom appears from the FAST test. The FAST acronym (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) is a test to quickly identify if someone is having a stroke.  

Face weakness         
Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?  

Arm weakness         
Can the person raise both arms?  

Speech problems     
Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?  

In childhood, stroke sudden severe headaches and seizures are also common signs.  

Acting FAST will give the person having a stroke the best chance of survival and recovery. Always call 999 straight away.  

Surviving a stroke is just the start of a long and gruelling recovery journey. The Stroke Association supports stroke survivors and their families to find the strength and determination they need to find their way back to life. The Stroke Association’s Childhood Stroke Support Team offers practical information and emotional support to childhood stroke survivors and their families.


TAKING THE PLUNGE

Prior to her tragic stroke, Summer loved to swim, but the severe limitations in her arms and hands now make it very difficult. Then the Stars Aligned and just by chance, Summer recently came across EQ and met our founder, Candice.

Established as one of the World's most exciting and original photographers, Candice is amongst the most versatile and unique image creators in the photographic industry.

She is well known for her leading underwater, fashion and beauty photographs including those of Keira Knightley, Lily Cole, Sir Nick Faldo and many other celebrities. Candice has won an Oscar for "Best Commercial Advertising Photographer" and this accolade has cemented her reputation amongst the elite, as well as receiving further awards, including the Excellence Prize at the UK Fashion Awards.

Summer participated in an underwater shoot with Candice and a very tame horse. From a hesitant start, she took on a very gruelling shoot with her usual determination and a love of horses, resulting in a fabulous set of photos which EQ is sponsoring together with the Stroke Association to raise the awareness of Childhood Strokes.

System • Text and Image
System • Image and Text

MEET SUMMER AT HICKSTEAD
22 - 27 JULY 2025

Five-star showjumping championship at one of the most famous showgrounds in the World.

EQ are sponsors at the Agria Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead and we would love to see you there! 

Help Summer...

Find out more and if you think you can help in any way, we would love to hear from you

Important Notice

EQ is sponsoring Summer Chard and the Stroke Association as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. EQ does not receive any funds from any source whatsoever for its CSR efforts, which we support from our own resources to make the World a better place.