Moyamoya: Lakyn’s Story

Stories for National Stroke Week, 7-13 August 2023.
Little Lakyn Pratt was only 8-months-old when he experienced his first stroke. Receiving the news is a moment Mum Mikaela will never forget.
“Lakyn had just woken up from an afternoon nap and was crying, I thought he had been teething. I laid Lakyn on the floor and noticed his left side was limp and his eye were locked to the left” Mikaela said.
At hospital, he underwent a CT scan. “I will never forget the moment they told me the scan doesn’t look normal, your son has had a stroke. We had no idea kids could even have strokes,” she said.
The family then began their long road to recovery and Lakyn started weekly therapy with their local paediatric brain injury rehabilitation team.
Four months post-stroke, Lakyn was sent to Sydney for a week of testing where he was diagnosed with Moyamoya disease, a rare neurological condition which affects roughly one in one million people.
“We were relieved to have a diagnosis and some answers. Lakyn has since had two surgeries to help increase blood flow. We can’t put into words how thankful we are for the support and care provided to Lakyn,” Mikaela said.
“The future is unknown, but we are forever grateful to be surrounded by so much love and support.”