Fast action can reduce the impact of stroke

Brenda Booth (right) receives her OAM from Governor of NSW Margaret Beazley

As part of National Stroke Week, Central Coast’s F.A.S.T hero, Brenda Booth, is urging people to learn and recognise what to look for and do in the instance of a stroke.

F.A.S.T advises checking the face or mouth for drooping; assessing whether both arms can be lifted; checking for slurred and confused speech or comprehension and acting as fast as possible.

Booth, who is from Woy Woy, suffered from a stroke in 2001 at the age of 41, which affected her speech, sight and right arm.

She said that every minute that goes by post-stroke, 1.9 million brain cells die, which is why it is so crucial people identify the signs early.

“Recognising a stroke in the first instance is crucial because there are treatments that are now available that if people get there quickly, then they can be considered for these treatments,” Booth said.

“As soon as the signs of stroke are apparent, do not wait, call an ambulance and get assessed.

“The F.A.S.T message is vital for people to actually in the first instance recognise that someone is having a stroke.”

Booth is also the co-president of the Central Coast stroke support group, Working Age Group Stroke (WAGS), which helps working age stroke survivors and their carer and families gain information, encouragement, and to develop friendships and establish support networks.

“As you can imagine with COVID, stroke survivors are part of the vulnerable group, so at the moment our activities are on hold,” she said.

“However, usually, we meet monthly, and we have several different subgroups in our stroke groups where we have social opportunities for male and female survivors and carers.”

Last year, Booth received an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for the work that she has done with the Stroke Foundation in spreading awareness.

National Stroke Week will continue until Sunday, September 6.

Visit www.strokefoundation.org.au for more information.

Jacinta Counihan