A busy mum-of-three is alive today thanks to a fellow personal trainer who recognised the signs of stroke when she couldn’t.
Brooke Bagnall owns and operates three gyms across the Sutherland Shire. The 41-year-old describes herself as fit, strong and always on the go. But in January this year, everything changed.
“I’d had a really stressful week, and I remember thinking, something was going to give, but you never think it’s going to be a stroke. When I got home from work, I sat down and was struggling to get back up, it was like my legs weren’t working,” Brooke said.
“I dismissed the symptoms and continued with life as I knew it, juggling the kids, work and managing the household.”
A few days later, Brooke visited one of her gyms and ran into personal trainer and friend Ryan Webber, who had experienced a stroke himself just a few years earlier. He immediately recognised the seriousness of her symptoms.
“Ryan took one look at me and said, ‘do not muck around, get to the hospital now’. But I felt like I would be wasting their time and that I was overreacting.”
Brooke decided to seek medical attention, a decision that would prove lifesaving. At hospital, clinicians quickly confirmed she had had a stroke.
“I honestly don’t think I would have gone if it wasn’t for the push from Ryan. That decision changed everything, I have no doubt Ryan saved my life.”
Brooke is sharing her story during National Stroke Week which runs from August 3 to 9. This year’s theme is F.A.S.T. heroes and recognises the everyday people, like Ryan, who help save lives.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa Murphy, says everyone can be a superhero by learning and sharing the F.A.S.T. message.
“You don’t need a cape to be a hero, you just need to know the signs of stroke by learning the F.A.S.T. acronym and calling triple zero (000) when stroke strikes. It can save a life.”
“F is for face- is their face drooping? A is for arms- can they lift both arms? S is for speech- is their speech slurred? And T is for time- time is critical. Call 000 immediately,” Dr Murphy said.
“When a stroke strikes, it attacks up to 1.9 million brain cells per minute so there’s absolutely no time to waste. You must act fast and call triple zero (000) for help.”
“The faster you can receive treatment for stroke, the more chance you have of surviving, with better outlook for recovery. This Stroke Week, we’re asking everyone to be a stroke superhero and learn the signs of stroke,” Dr Murphy added.
National Stroke Week is Stroke Foundation’s annual awareness campaign. You can support the campaign by sharing or creating your own social media post on any platform. Learn and share the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke and call triple zero (000) straight away if you suspect a stroke.
National Stroke Week is proudly supported by Major Sponsors: EMVision, Wellumio, and Supporting Sponsors: AbbVie and Pure Australia
