Six-year-old receives special recognition four months on from life-threatening stroke

Four months ago we met brave Piper Wakley Keighran, fighting back after she suffered a stroke minutes after her pre-school graduation.

Now she's barely recognisable, doing everything she loves and receiving a very special award.

Piper underwent emergency surgery in December last year after a stroke led to brain bleed.

READ MORE: 'Mentally it got me': The Summit contestants tell all ahead of new season

She spent nearly a month at Melbourne's Monash Children's hospital, but nothing could dull her spirit.

Since then Piper's started school and continues to astound her medical team, who still monitor her for a blood clot on her brain.

Now, Piper's family are cheering on their brave six-year-old, as she is recognised with the warrior award in the Stroke Foundation's National Stroke Awards for raising awareness for young sufferers.

"I think it's great for her to have a bit of shine now and be in the spotlight for the good reasons apart from just the last few months," Piper's dad Will said.

Every year, around 600 Aussie kids suffer from a stroke, which occurs when there is an interruption to blood supply in the brain.

Spencer McPherson had a stroke as a toddler, he and mum Deb have helped develop brochures for schools.

"We didn't know that children could have strokes," mum Deb McPherson said.

READ MORE: Woman left with permanently disabled after contraceptive procedure goes wrong

"I think it's a really important message to get into schools and especially teaching the teachers the signs of stroke.

Stroke Foundation chief executive Dr Lisa Murphy said catching a stroke early can make all the difference in a patient's recovery.

"Things to look out for is if your baby or child is not moving one side of their body, if they've got a serve headache, vomiting, if they're not able to swallow properly," Murphy said.

"Children in particular they make great improvements and the key is to get that early rehabilitation.

Now, Piper and her family are determined to help other families placed in a similar situation.

"To be able to say to parents who are starting this journey, yes, it's horrible. It is scary. It's unknown - but this is potentially what the outcome could be," mum Tayla said.

Watch the full video in the player above.