Hertfordshire stroke survivor backs Stroke Association’s FAST message

Stroke survivor John Thompson, 72, from Hertfordshire,is urging people across the East of England to be aware of the warning signs of stroke, and share the FAST message to help save more lives.

John Thompson, a grandfather of three, believes the FAST test saved his life in 2014.

Four years ago, John was at home on his computer, when he noticed something wasn’t right with his hand. He started to struggle to type, and noticed that the letters he thought he was touching on the keyboard weren’t the letters coming up on the screen.

John told his wife Jan what was happening, and when Jan looked at John, she noticed that his mouth and eye had dropped on one side, and his speech was slurred.

John said: “Thankfully something quickly registered in Jan’s mind in that moment she looked at me. She remembered the FAST adverts on TV, and knew that I needed to get to hospital quickly.

“If I had been alone, I wouldn’t necessarily have acted as quickly. I’m really grateful to have had Jan with me at the time. I do believe she saved my life by using the FAST test.”

The stroke left John with weakness down the left side of his body and with a communication difficulty called aphasia. John now volunteers at the Stroke Association’s West Hertfordshire Communication Support Service, supporting other stroke survivors in their life after stroke.

John added: “I’m thankful to the team at Watford Hospital and the Stroke Association, who were there for me and helped hugely in my recovery. I’m now really passionate to help other stroke survivors, but also educate more people about the FAST test. Knowing how to spot the warning signs of a stroke could save a 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

Sara Betsworth, 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.

“We want more people like Jan 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.