In 1997 my Dad suffered a massive stroke.

Dad had complained the day before of his arm feeling tingly. We joked and said maybe his braces were too tight!

The next day Dad was rushed into hospital he could no longer move his arm and leg, he was confused and frightened. On that day I saw him cry for the first time ever,  All I could do was give him a cuddle and hold his hand whilst we waited for the doctors to decide what was happening. As my family arrived at the hospital we were called to one side. The doctors felt the Stroke Dad had suffered was so severe that they did not feel he would live. My whole world fell apart that day. 

My Dad was a big strong hard working, fun loving, Independent and caring man he became a shell of his former self. He couldn't teach me to drive anymore, he couldn't cook my dinner for me when I got in from work, he couldn't offer to beat up the latest boyfriend who had broken my heart.  Dad was completely dependant on others for all his needs, he needed help with dressing, feeding and personal care, all those things you take so much for granted in life.  My dad was a strong and stubborn old man and fought back and defied the doctors, living on for another 16 years. The 16 years we had with Dad were precious to me and my family and the work the Stroke association do with research and also assisting the people who have stroke and their families contributed to that greatly over the years.

If by stepping out for Stroke I can raise awareness of the signs of Stroke with my friends, their friends and families I would do it a million times over. Please donate as little or as much as you can afford, every penny counts.

You may well have seen the following information in the press or on TV. This was not something so well publicised at the time of my Dads Stroke. I still think to this day, If I had known more maybe I could have done more. Don't let this be you.

Facial weakness: Can the person smile? Has their face fallen on one side?
Arm weakness: Can the person raise both arms and keep them there?
Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say? Is their speech slurred?

If you see any one of these three signs, it’s TIME to call 999. Stroke is always a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Recognising the signs of stroke and calling 999 for an ambulance is crucial. The quicker a patient arrives at a specialist stroke unit, the quicker they will receive appropriate treatment and the more likely they are to make a better recovery. If you suspect a stroke, always dial 999.

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