Hibs fan who suffered major stroke given 'new lease of life' after interviewing top football players

A Hibs fan who nearly died after suffering a major stroke has got a 'new lease of life' and is fulfilling his dream of interviewing top players.

Darren Thomson, 24, was rushed to hospital on June 5, 2017 when he developed a painful headache and lost feeling in the left side of his body.

Darren Thomson, 24, was rushed to hospital on June 5, 2017 when he developed a painful headache and lost feeling in the left side of his body.

Medics at Edinburgh Western General later discovered Hibs fan Darren had a blood clot the size of a 10p coin which caused a bleed on his brain.

After four months of not being able to speak, he uttered his first words - "Hearts are s**t" - and since then he's gone 'from strength to strength', although he is still wheelchair bound.

Darren Thomson, 24, was rushed to hospital on June 5, 2017 when he developed a painful headache and lost feeling in the left side of his body.

Darren has a YouTube channel which has racked up 1,000 followers so far, and has interviewed Hibs players Darren McGregor and Lewis Stevenson.

He hopes to one day be able to quiz Rangers boss Steven Gerrard.

Darren said: "I'd like to interview as many footballers and managers as possible.

"I'd love to interview John McGinn because he's an ex-Hibs player and Steven Gerrard because he played for Liverpool.

"I started my YouTube channel in 2018 and uploaded a few crappy videos, but last year I did match reactions and interviews with players.

"I've interviewed Darren McGregor from Hibs, and two Edinburgh City players.

"I was going to interview more Hibs players but then Covid hit.

"I had no experience in journalism.

"If you believe in a dream you will achieve it.

"Doctors didn't think I'd have come as far as I have but I proved them wrong.

"They also told my dad I might never talk again but my first words were 'Hearts are s**t'.

"Since then I've gone from strength to strength.

"I was in a stroke wheelchair but I'm in a normal wheelchair now.

"I can transfer myself from my wheelchair to bed and wheelchair to couch and stuff."

His dad, Phil, 57, gave up his job as a maintenance man to be Darren's carer full time at home in Galashiels, Scottish Borders.

Darren added: "My dad saw me at death's door.

"He was my full time carer and had to do everything for me.

"After my stroke I was depressed for a while but I think if I didn't have my dad I wouldn't be so positive."

He is determined to defy medics further and described his recovery after the stroke as 'a new lease of life'.

Darren said: "Doctors can't say if I'll walk again but I feel I will.

"I've also got feeling back on my left side.

"I've definitely got a new lease of life.

"I hope my stroke and recovery can offer hope to other people in my position to stay positive.

"I just want to spread positivity and give people a smile on their face, especially with the year we've had."

Proud dad Phil said: "Darren's recovery has been going well.

"From when he came out of hospital to where he is now it's like night and day.

"He could barely move at all.

"He's been coming on leaps and bounds."

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