The South Gippsland region means a lot to Toni Arfaras. A part-time Venus Bay resident, she was at her holiday home in 2013 when stroke changed her life.
Aged just 46 at the time, it would be a week until Toni received the lifechanging diagnosis.
“Hearing that news, it was like the world was ripped out from under me. I will always remember hearing those words, you have had a stroke,” Toni said.
“Since then, I have had three more mini strokes, or TIAs. I had to give up my job as a primary school teacher, I am unable to drive, and I have issues with sensory overload and fatigue. It has had a huge impact on my life.”
Toni is now using her experience to help others and has been giving StrokeSafe talks for the past eight years. She has helped educate thousands by giving informative talks at aged care homes, schools and community groups.
“I love that I am able to educate people about strokes and put my some of my passions, like volunteering and teaching, that I previously had to give up, to good use,” Toni said.
“I enjoy giving back to the community and knowing that I could be helping save a life or preventing disability is very rewarding.”
Next week Toni will speak to a group of 80 at the Woorayl Probus Club in Leongatha.
Toni is among the 113,000 survivors of stroke living in Victoria. Regional Australians are 17 per cent more likely to have a stroke than those in metropolitan areas.
Stroke is one of the country’s leading causes of disability. It kills more women than breast cancer and more men than prostate cancer.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr Lisa Murphy commended Toni on helping educate more Australians about stroke.
“We want someone in every home and business in Australia to be able to recognise the F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech and Time) signs of stroke, and thanks to dedicated volunteers like Toni, we may one day achieve that,” Dr Murphy said.
“We know there is no time to waste when it comes to stroke. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Take action and call triple zero (000) at the first sign.”
StrokeSafe presentations are available in-person and online. If you would like to request a free presentation please call 1300 194 196 or book online.
