A 22-YEAR-OLD who suffered a massive stroke is getting by with a little help from his friends.
Alex Cook, of Langford Close, Dodworth, suffered a stroke in November which left him paralysed and affected his speech.
Months on, he has come on "leaps and bounds", according to his best friend Jack Churchill.
He has regained feeling in his body and can walk and talk again, although sometimes forgets or confuses words.
The pair, born four days apart, have been friends since they were little, and Jack said they were more like brothers.
Before Alex's stroke, the pair had enjoyed their 21st birthdays together and a holiday in Ibiza.
Alex was working as a support worker for people with disabilities when the stroke hit.
A colleague realised straight away that something wasn't right.
Debbie, Alex's mum, said: "When Alex had the stroke, Jack was by his bedside. It's just how their relationship is and how close they are.
"Stroke victims are getting younger, and Alex was the youngest male in Barnsley. It's not what you expect for your 21-year-old - to get a call to say he's on his way to the hospital.
"He's still having specialist therapy but he's doing really well, he's amazing."
