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.