500,000m Row for the half a million Aussie Stroke Survivors
Hi,
I’m Ryan.
At just 32 years old, I became one of the 45,785 Australians who experienced a stroke.
It all began on Easter Sunday in 2023.
I spent the day in emergency, only to be sent home with what was believed to be a migraine. The next morning, I was rushed back to hospital—and that’s when I was told I’d had a significant stroke.
The stroke affected the part of my brain responsible for vision and sensation on the right side of my body.
With the usual signals disrupted, my brain was generating its own painful sensations.
What followed turned my world upside down. I began experiencing intense nerve pain - it was so severe I’d be left frozen for hours, rigid and unable to move.
It was a constant battle between striving to recover and knowing when to rest.
Today, the pain is still there.
My right side is weaker and numb, my arm and leg feel heavy, as if they’re filled with lead.
But doing events like this, helps.
There are so many other stroke survivors out there facing similar, silent battles.
Talking about it matters. It helps others feel seen and heard.
Recovery is not linear. It’s hard. It’s emotional. But even the smallest wins matter.
The brain is incredibly complex, and no two strokes are the same. The journey to recovery looks different for everyone.
There are nearly half a million stroke survivors in Australia today—and that’s why we’re rowing 500,000 metres.
To raise awareness, to raise funds for the Stroke Foundation and to honour every single person navigating life after stroke.
Join us. Support the cause. Share the message.
Thank you,
Ryan Webber
My Updates
500,000 Meters for the Half a Million Stroke Survivors
Thursday 6th FebOn Saturday April 12, in teams we will be joining forces to row 500,000 meters on rowergs - one for every Australian living with the effects of stroke in our communities today.
This event isn’t just about the meters. It’s about the people behind that number.
Every stroke survivor has a story.
A moment when life changed in an instant.
A battle to regain strength, independence, and identity. These stories deserve to be heard—because they don’t just highlight the challenges, they teach, inspire, and save lives.
Why This Event Matters:
Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, yet many people don’t recognize the warning signs. The FAST acronym (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) can mean the difference between survival and severe disability. But awareness only works when people truly understand what stroke looks like—not just in medical terms, but in real lives.
That’s why, as part of this event, I’ll be interviewing stroke survivors to share their experiences—what they’ve overcome, what they wish people knew, and how stroke changed their world.
Are You a Stroke Survivor? Share Your Story.
If you’ve had a stroke (or know someone who has), I’d love to hear from you. Whether your stroke was recent or decades ago, whether you’ve made a full recovery or are still finding your way—your voice matters.
By sharing your experience, you’ll be helping others recognize the signs, understand the challenges, and feel less alone in their own journey.
How to Get Involved:
💬 Join me for an interview on April 12 – Let’s talk about your experience, spread awareness, and educate the community.
📣 Help amplify this message – Share this fundraiser, tag a survivor, or simply start a conversation about stroke.
💙 Support the Stroke Foundation – Donations go toward vital programs for prevention, treatment, and recovery.
This event is about more than rowing—it’s about real people, real stories, and real impact. Let’s make every meter count.
👉 DM me if you’re interested in being interviewed or want to support the cause!
ShareThank you to my Sponsors
$1,000
Altura Learning
$515
Carmel Henry
Proud of you and what you have accomplished!!
$500
Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation
$208.60
Christian Miranda
Proud of you, mate.
$208.60
Anonymous
$158.25
Hieu Mai
it’s amazing what you are doing. Keep going.
$144.54
Emma Roylett
$144.54
Zarraffa’s Coffee Bankstown
Nice work Ryan! Inspirational.
$106.12
Maxine Poole
Ryan all the best for tomorrow, sorry we not going to be able to get there. Will be thinking of you and sending strength.
$103.72
Sara L
You got this, Ryan! Thank you for sharing your story and raising awareness. Many males often feel like it's the end and shut down after facing challenges like yours. Your courage can inspire them to see that support is available and that speaking up is not only okay but important. Faamanuia le Atua ia oe Ryan.
$80.25
Jenny Lam
So proud of you, and you should be so proud of yourself - your story is so inspirational and the fact that you live, still, with physical and mental pain but still show up for everyone and for yourself everyday. I’m so fortunate to call you my friend!
$80.25
Alice Browne
$78.45
Hamish Mills
$55.27
Brodie Merchant
$54.12
Steven Baskett
Your progress and determination is an inspiration to stroke survivors. Here's to Hoping for the next scientific break through and care
$54.12
Adrienne
Ryan: Wishing you and your team all the best on March 29th. Congratulations and thank you for the inspiring work that you do to raise Stroke awareness.
$54.12
Sidonie
Fantastic challenge. Good luck!
$54.12
Jordan Martin
$54.12
Alltimeboxing
Great work bro hope this helps appreciate you brother
$54.12
Jody Mulholland
$54.12
Laura Barnes
$54.12
Marianne Kane
Raising awareness for young stroke survivors. A great cause.
$54.12
Anonymous
$54.12
Kaitlin Ramsay
$54.12
Donna Towell
Go Stingrays & Paragon team Luv you Ryan so proud of you
$54.12
Brendan
Keep up the amazing work Ryan, incredible story that you are sharing. The day went amazing and I was so happy to be apart of that event. Thank you for sharing your story and being an amazing inspiration for others
$54.12
Mel Spencer
Smashed it today!! Great to be a small part of it well done everyone!!
$54.12
Chris & Kase
We love you ryno
$33.15
Taylah Flack
$27.81
Stephen Byrne
$23.50
Chloe T
So proud of you Ryan, keep up the amazing work!!!!
$22.58
Harvey Helou
$22.58
Stefan Nikolaev
$22.58
Ash Cass
$6.01
Jack Allan-georgas
After reading Ryan’s story, I felt I had to make a contribution.
My Team Members
Racheal Cilia
$108.24
Mitchell Gibbeson
$80.25
Shayne Taylor
$54.12
Krystal Webber
Brodie Merchant
Brittany Webber
Rylee Towell
$54.12
Sachi Letitia
$903.00
Ash Dawes
$232.71
Amanda McLemon
$249.62
Emma Roylett
$54.12
Kaitlin Ramsay
$54.12
Carmel
Corey Bennett
$106.12
Michael Thai
$54.12
Kaylee Smith
$50.00
James toole
$500.00
Skye mitchell
$80.25
Jason Thai
Brendan Vu
Amcj
$262.72
Kieren Nguyen
$208.24
Joanne Nguyen
$1,054.58
Sutherland Stingrays
Clarice Mok
$528.87
Alexander Longmuir
Big Chill
$80.25
Matt W
$108.24
Jackson Sarcia
Rebecca Baroudy
Theo Aungle
Matty c
$54.12
Jarrod Stoffels
$52.92
mikayla martin
Nick Rigas
$100.00
Stacey Rigas
$54.12
Hayley Smith
$54.12
Laura Towell
$54.12
Caragh Finlay
Lachy smith
$532.56
Monique Johnson
Aidan O’Leary
$54.12
Kurt anthony
Andrew Carlton
$54.12
Hoani Tangohau
$54.12
Bradley Faddy
$54.12
Ethan Fishburn
$50.00
Curtis Pennini
George Hughes
$54.12
Jordan Turner
$54.12
Riley Pickering
$54.12
Nick j
$54.12
Jack Picken
$54.12
Frank Jory
$54.12
Ella
$54.12
Matt Lisser
$54.12
Billy McLennan
Dannielle Ramsay
$160.24
Ella Van Der Meer
$54.12
leati moefaauo
evie
Sharon Bennett
$54.12
Ava and Noah McLemon
$581.70
Payton Wade
Isabella Maher
jasmin gilmour
Lily Webb
Taylah Flack
Kyah Saint-Barry
Matilda Fanning
Max Jory
$54.12
Damon Smith
$80.25
Hamish Mills
An Ho
$320.60
Javan Talisitama
$54.12
Rachel Turner
$137.27
Tim Ford
$54.12
Ben M
$54.12
Paragon Fit
$10,344.61
Sutherland Stingrays
$216.48
Lachy smith
$3,890.19
Thank you Ryan for collaborating with the team at Altura Learning and helping us educate the aged care sector on stroke. We really appreciate everything you do, and wish you all the best for your fundraising efforts!