​Sneyd Green stroke survivor backs Stroke Association’s FAST message

Stroke survivor Carol Pickthorne, 48, from Sneyd Green is urging people across Stoke-on-Trent to be aware of the warning signs of stroke, and share the FAST message to help save more lives.

Carol Pickthorne, 48, from Sneyd Green had a stroke in November 2014 and believes the FAST Test could have saved her life.

Carol had her first stroke in the summer of 2014, and was having a meeting with her local Stroke Association coordinator, Gemma Millward, at the time of her second stroke. Carol told Gemma that she had been experiencing a serve headache that week, and that her balance had been off. At this point, Gemma realised that as Carol was speaking, something wasn’t right quite with her speech. Gemma immediately carried out the FAST Test with Carol, and realised that she was having a stroke. An ambulance was called straight away and Carol was taken to hospital.

Carol adds, “Gemma really did save my life the day of my second stroke. When I think back to what was happening, it was obvious that I was showing all the signs of a stroke, but I never pieced it altogether. I now walk with a stick and have limited movement in my left arm but the hospital said getting to them so quickly was the best thing I could have done. I’d tell anyone who thinks they may be having a stroke to act FAST and get help immediately.”

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

Jacqui Cuthbert, Zone Director 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 Midlands 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.