​Fermanagh stroke survivor urges people to act FAST

The Stroke Association is calling for people across Northern Ireland to be more aware of the early warning signs of stroke, and to share the FAST message to help save more lives.

The FAST Test identifies the three most common symptoms of a stroke and the right action to take:

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

ARM weakness: Can the person raise both arms?

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

TIME to call 999

Geraldine Cassidy, 60 from Enniskillen survived a stroke in July 2016 and is now spreading the word about recognising FAST Test symptoms.

Geraldine said: “I was sitting in the house one evening with my family – when both my family and I noticed that my speech had gone a little funny. When I looked in the mirror I noticed that my lip on the right hand side was dropped and I had no sensation. I noticed the FAST symptoms immediately and immediately called an ambulance. Family members said my speech sounded like a foreign language!

I was taken to the South West Acute Hospital and was sent for a brain scan and MRI – where it was determined that I had a stroke. I’ve been lucky - due to the quick treatment that I received at hospital, I haven’t had any major lasting effects from the stroke except that I get very tired after a long day and my speech is still mildly affected. I am supporting the FAST Campaign because it worked for me – if I hadn’t noticed the symptoms of my stroke as quick as I did, the effects could have been much worse.”

Brenda Maguire, Campaigns Manager said: “Having a stroke is devastating. It can happen to anyone, of any age, at any time. Every second counts when you are having a stroke, so recognising the signs and calling 999 for an ambulance is crucial. A stroke is a medical emergency – as serious as a heart attack, so you need to seek immediate medical help. The quicker a person arrives at a specialist stroke unit, the quicker they will receive appropriate treatment to minimise the impact of their stroke.

“We want more people across Northern Ireland to learn the FAST test and share it with their friends and family to help others to save lives, and improve the chance of a better recovery for those who experience stroke.”

To find out more about the FAST campaign, and to view information and support available, visit www.stroke.org.uk/FAST.