A Norwood man who has had to find his new normal after stroke is urging South Australians to learn the F.A.S.T. signs.
Phil O'Leary was at home cooking dinner for his family in September 2014 when he began to experience the telltale F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech and Time) signs.
"I felt weakness in my left leg and arm and was unable to stand. I couldn't hold myself up and slowly sank to the floor," Phil said.
"I had heard a segment on the radio only a week before about how to recognise a stroke, that's how I knew I was having one."
Phil was rushed to hospital where it was confirmed he'd had suffered a severe haemorrhagic stroke.
"The first couple of hours in hospital are a bit of a blur. I found out later on that nurses called my family and said it was touch and go, and they weren't sure I would make it through the night," he said.
Phil spent two weeks in hospital, and a further six months in rehab. He was thrilled to finally get home to his family, but living in a double storey house made his journey to recovery even more challenging.
"At first, I was unable to transfer from a chair or bed to a wheelchair without assistance, but after months of rehab I was able to use a single elbow crutch. We ended up having to sell the house and buy an apartment that was better suited to my needs," he said.
Phil hasn't let his stroke rule his life. He has travelled overseas, been on a cruise, and as an avid Adelaide Crows supporter, proudly attends most games and uses the wheelchair space at Adelaide Oval.
"Living with a disability isn't easy, but it is made easier by maintaining a positive frame of mind and continuing to do the things you enjoy."
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr Lisa Murphy said Phil is among the 35,000 stroke survivors living in South Australia.
"Stroke is always a medical emergency. When a stroke strikes, there is no time to lose. Around 1.9 million brain cells can die every minute. Prompt medical treatment can stop this damage," Dr Murphy said.
"If you can recognise a stroke, you can take the vital first step in getting a person, often a loved one, the emergency medical help they need. This provides the best chance of a good outcome."
If you suspect someone is having a stroke, think F.A.S.T. and ask these questions:
Face: Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
Arms: Can they lift both arms?
Speech: Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time is critical. If you see any of these signs call triple zero (000) straight away.
More than 80 per cent of strokes display at least one of the F.A.S.T. signs. Other signs are here.
