Devon stroke survivor backs Stroke Association’s FAST message

Stroke survivor Wendy Nassaris, 72, from Devon,is urging people across the South West to be aware of the warning signs of stroke, and share the FAST message to help save more lives.

Wendy, a Grandmother of two, had a stroke in November 2017. When she was applying lipstick one morning, Wendy noticed that her lips felt numb. She said: “I brushed it off and thought I’d check it later. The following day, I was just about to leave the house for my neighbour’s weekly coffee morning, when I noticed that my lips looked different on one side. I always applied my lipstick before leaving the house in the same mirror, but something just wasn’t right.

“I investigated a little bit in the mirror, but thought nothing more of it and left the house. Everyone at the coffee morning all noticed my face looked different. I had no idea what they meant, but when my cousin said that my face looked like I was having a stroke, it suddenly hit me. I looked in the mirror I could see that my face had dropped on one side.”

Wendy managed to get back home to her husband, she checked her blood pressure and noticed it was very high. Wendy went to hospital where she spent 24 hours recovering.

Wendy added: “It took me about three weeks to feel myself again following my stroke. Thankfully I’ve made a good recovery, but do struggle with fatigue and my emotions. I’m so grateful for the support I received form the Stroke Association.”

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

Esme Mutter, Head of Stroke Support at the Stroke Association,said: “Stroke can happen to anyone at any age, at any time, and when it strikes, every second counts.

“A stroke is a medical emergency, so recognising the signs and calling 999 for an ambulance is crucial. The quicker a person arrives at a specialist stroke unit, the quicker they will receive appropriate treatment. That’s why we’re calling on people in the South West 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.