Striking Chronicle Herald photographer has stroke on picket line

A Halifax photographer on strike from the Chronicle Herald suffered a stroke while walking the picket line last week.

The incident has made it challenging for him to continue helpinghis wife and mother, each with their own serious medical conditions.

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Eric Wynne, 49, was with his co-workers last Tuesday when he started feeling strange.

"I had this severe sinus pain the back of my left eye. And it didn't go away," he said."And then all of a sudden, I felt dizzy."

Wynne was taken to the hospital where doctors confirmed he had suffered a stroke.

Walking like 'I'm 100 years old'

His speech has been affected slightly and he has difficulty swallowing. Primarily, he has to deal with severe vertigo and challenges walking.

"I walk around like I'm 100 years old," Wynne said."Iuse a cane, I bounce off of walls. If I need to go anywhere, say the mall, I have to use a walker."

All this comes while he's caring for his wife who isundergoing chemotherapy, and his mother who is recovering from a major heart attack and subsequent stroke.

Plus, he's still on strike with no steady income.

A crowdfunding campaignhas now been launched to raise money for the family. As of Thursday morning, the campaign had raised $8,400 of its $15,000 goal.

Wynne says he's not used to all this attention.

"Thisputs me in the spotlight, so I'm a little uncomfortable," he said.

Overall, Wynne says he's extremely thankful to everyone who has helped.

He says doctors are not sure if or when his condition will improve.