HERMITAGE, Pa. - Pediatric strokes are rare, affecting 1 in every 4,000 newborns and an additional 2,000 older children each year.

Unfortunately, they do occur.

On World Stroke Day, we introduce you to Hickory High School Freshman Trenden Johnston. Last year, just 10 days before his 13th birthday, a blood vessel burst in Trenden's brain and he was rushed to the hospital.

"It was April 6th, 2020," Trenden's mother Amanda Blough said. "Trenden had called me and something didn't seem right. His voice was muffled, slurred and he said mom, I can't feel my body."

Trenden's mother Amanda rushed him to the hospital and he was then life flighted to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh.

"He never even complained that day he had a headache, no complaints, it just happened that quick."

Trenden spent a month at Children's and then another month at a rehab facility.

"He had to learn how to walk, how to swallow and he lost complete movement over his left arm," Amanda said.

A growth spurt has slowed his recovery but he's also restricted on what he can and can't do.

"Where the bleed was in his brain, they couldn't do surgery so he had to have two rounds of radiation," Amanda said. "So now he's limited on what he can do because that vessel is still in his brain and it could rebleed. He can not lift more than 40 pounds, no strain whatsoever. Until 2023, which will be two years from his last radiation treatment, will be the true brain scan to see if that vessel is completely gone and if he can be cleared."

Through it all though, Trenden has maintained a smile on his face.

"I just try to stay positive, don't really think about it that much and I just continue with my day," Trenden said. "I want my body back as quick as possible but I know it's going to come naturally."

He does physical and occupational therapy twice a week to get stronger.

"I want to be able to run, jump and do all the things I used to be able to do."

Once he's cleared, his goal is to make it back on the football and wrestling teams.

"He handles it better than I have," Amanda said. "For the longest time I would have my moments but he's always stayed positive, he's always had a smile on his face and he's never asked why where I have but he's kept me positive."

Amanda says it seems like just yesterday, but she's telling Trenden's story on World Stroke Day in the hopes it can save someone's life in the future.

"Strokes can happen to anybody, of all ages," she said. "Know your signs, you know the facial drooping, the slurred speech, the loss of movements of your body because it could be your right side or your left and minutes matter. Trenden was in Children's I would say within an hour so that time is valuable, so if you notice the signs, please call for help."

Amanda also wants to thank everyone for all the support in the last year and a half.

"Family, friends, Hermitage School District, the City of Hermitage, the community, strangers have all been there for my family, for Trenden and they still continue to be there for us so I need to say thank you."

The American Stroke Association wants you to know the most common warning signs. You can use the acronym FAST.The American Stroke Association wants you to know the most common warning signs. You can use the acronym FAST.

Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven? 

Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? 

Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like "The sky is blue."  

Time to Call 911 - If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and get to a hospital immediately. Check the time so you can tell emergency responders when the first symptoms appeared. 

To learn more or get involved, visit stroke.org/WorldStrokeDay or call 1-888-4STROKE.