Watford stroke survivor backs Stroke Association’s FAST message

Press release -

Watford stroke survivor backs Stroke Association’s FAST message

Stroke survivor Paul Channing, 62, from Watford,is urging people across the region to be aware of the warning signs of stroke, and share the FAST message to help save more lives.

Paul had a stroke in June 2016. Fortunately his wife and daughter recognised the signs of a stroke and acted FAST.

Paul said: “It was just like any other typical day for me, I got up to get ready for work, and felt fine. When I took a cup of tea to my wife, Jeanette, who was in bed, she noticed that I had food around my mouth. My daughter Natalie, came into the room and took one look at me and quickly dialled 999.

“My mouth had dropped on one side, and thankfully, Jeanette and Natalie recognised that being a symptom of stroke from seeing the FAST adverts on TV.”

Paul was rushed to Watford General Hospital and received thrombolysis, a clot-busting treatment. The stroke has left Paul with a communication difficulty called aphasia, and weakness in his right arm. Paul attends the Stroke Association’s West Hertfordshire Communication Support Service, where he volunteers his time to support other stroke survivors with aphasia.

Paul adds: “Thankfully I’ve made a good recovery, and I’m determined to keep working hard on my rehabilitation. If my wife and daughter weren’t with me the day I had a stroke, things could had been a lot different. I urge everyone to know about the FAST test: it saved my life.”

The Stroke Association is raising awareness of the signs of stroke, calling on people to learn the symptoms, and call 999 as soon as they spot them.

The FAST test helps people recognise the most common symptoms of a stroke and the right action to take:

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

ARMS: Can the person raise both arms?

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

TIME to call 999

Laura McGregor, Stroke Association Support Coordinator at the Stroke Association,said: “Stroke can happen to anyone at any age, at any time, and when it strikes, every second counts.

“We want more people like Jeanette and Natalie to learn the FAST test and share it with their friends and family. Knowing how to spot the warning signs of a stroke could save a life.”

To find out more about the FAST test, and the Stroke Association’s work to raise awareness of the warning signs of stroke, visit www.stroke.org.uk/FAST.

Topics

  • A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. There are more than 100,000 strokes in the UK each year; that is around one stroke every five minutes. There are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke. 
  • Stroke Association is a charity. We believe in life after stroke and together we can conquer stroke. We work directly with stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals and with scientists and researchers. We campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best recovery they can. We fund research to develop new treatments and ways of preventing stroke. The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) provides information and support on stroke. More information can be found at www.stroke.org.uk

    • Contacts

    Angela Macleod

    Angela Macleod

    Press contact Communications Officer Scotland press and Stroke Association research communications 0131 555 7244
    Laura Thomas

    Laura Thomas

    Press contact Communications Officer Wales 07776508594
    Ken Scott

    Ken Scott

    Press contact Press Officer North of England and Midlands 0115 778 8429
    Daisy Dighton

    Daisy Dighton

    Press contact Press Officer London and East of England 02079401358
    Martin Oxley

    Martin Oxley

    Press contact Press Officer South of England 07776 508 646
    Vicki Hall

    Vicki Hall

    Press contact PR Manager Fundraising and local services 0161 742 7478
    Scott Weddell

    Scott Weddell

    Press contact PR Manager Stroke policy, research and Northern Ireland 02075661528
    Katie Padfield

    Katie Padfield

    Press contact Head of PR & Media This team is not responsible for booking marketing materials or advertising
    Out of hours contact

    Out of hours contact

    Press contact Media queries 07799 436008
    Kate Asselman

    Kate Asselman

    Press contact Artist Liaison Lead 07540 518022
    Tell us your story

    Tell us your story

    Press contact 07799 436008

    The UK's leading stroke charity helping people to rebuild their lives after stroke

    The Stroke Association. We believe in life after stroke. That’s why we campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best possible recovery. It’s why we fund research to develop new treatments and ways to prevent stroke. The Stroke Association is a charity. We rely on your support to change lives and prevent stroke. Together we can conquer stroke.

    Stroke Association
    240 City Road
    EC1V 2PR London
    UK