Bangor stroke survivor urges people to act FAST

Bangor stroke survivor urges people to act FAST

The Stroke Association is calling for people across Northern Ireland to be more aware of the early warning signs of stroke, and to share the FAST message to help save more lives.

The FAST Test identifies the three most common symptoms of a stroke and the right action to take:

●FACE: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?

●ARM weakness: Can the person raise both arms?

●SPEECH problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?

●TIME to call 999

Jimmy Waterson, from Bangor survived a stroke in September 2011 and is now spreading the word about recognising FAST Test symptoms.

Jimmy said: “I had my stroke when I was visiting my sister in Scotland. I was completely paralysed down my left hand side. I had fallen out of bed and when my sister heard the noise she realised something was wrong and called an ambulance. I was taken to hospital and had various tests. I was in hospital in Scotland for a fortnight.”

When I came back to Northern Ireland – the Community Stroke Team in Bangor had just started up. My wife had seen an article in the local paper and gave them a call. The Community Stroke Team came to see me after I got home and I went through a 12 week rehabilitation course.

Initially my balance was very poor but I could walk with a cane – I had issues on my left hand side with my arm and leg. My ability to concentrate and Short Term Memory were also affected by the stroke.

In September 2012 however, I decided that I could be doing more than sitting at home however working full time was not an option. I saw an advert from the Stroke Association charity, which were looking for volunteers. I met with their volunteer coordinator Janice, who invited me to the offices for a chat and an opportunity to attend the Bangor group as a volunteer.

I’m supporting the FAST campaign because as many people as possible need to be FAST aware, so they can spot the signs of stroke and treat it as a medical emergency by calling 999. Learn it. Share it. You could save a life.”

Brenda Maguire, Campaigns Manager said: “Having a stroke is devastating. It can happen to anyone, of any age, at any time. Every second counts when you are having a stroke, so recognising the signs and calling 999 for an ambulance is crucial. A stroke is a medical emergency – as serious as a heart attack, so you need to seek immediate medical help. The quicker a person arrives at a specialist stroke unit, the quicker they will receive appropriate treatment to minimise the impact of their stroke.

“We want more people across Northern Ireland to learn the FAST test and share it with their friends and family to help others to save lives, and improve the chance of a better recovery for those who experience stroke.”

To find out more about the FAST campaign, and to view information and support available, visit www.stroke.org.uk/FAST.