After surviving two life-threatening brain aneurysms*, Emilia Clarke is amazed at how she is able to live life normally. She gives particular credit to her role on Game of Thrones, as it gave her a sense of direction during those difficult times.
*An aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel, caused by a weakness in the blood vessel wall. As the blood passes through the weakened blood vessel, the blood pressure causes a small area to swell outside the body (via NHS UK).
The actress addressed her recent health setbacks in an interview with the BBC on Sunday Morning. Regarding aneurysms, she said:
"It was the most excruciating pain. It was incredibly helpful to have Game of Thrones take my mind off it and give me a purpose.”
Clarke suffered her first aneurysm in 2011 and her second in 2013 – both times requiring lengthy recovery periods to treat the brain damage.
“The amount of my brain, which is no longer usable, makes it seem extraordinary that I am able to speak articulately and live life without limitations. I'm a really, really, really very small minority of people who can survive this!”
Since this horrific experience, Clarke has founded a charity for brain injury and stroke victims called SameYou. But she noted that after the aneurysms and the rehabilitation process, she has also learned how to accept herself as she currently is.
The actress spoke for the first time about her fear in 2019.
“My full name is Emilia Isobel Euphemia Rose Clark. But I didn't remember that. Nonsense words came out of my mouth. I am an actress. I had to remember my lines, but now I couldn't even remember my name. In my worst moments, I wanted to pull the plug….”
Burimi: Vanity Fair
