How my F.A.S.T Heroes saved my life - By Ida
For National Stroke Week, Ida has recorded a video to thank Soph, Matt and Sean for saving her life, and to urge others to become F.A.S.T Heroes by learning the signs of stroke.
In September 2011, at the age of 40, Ida suffered a haemorrhagic stroke due to untreated high blood pressure.
Ida was at a semi-final match of the National Rugby League when her stroke occurred. She remembers looking at her hands and knowing something was wrong. Ida turned and asked her friend Soph if she could look at her hands, but she had noticed that Ida’s face had begun to droop.
Ida stood up and then collapsed. Her right side was paralysed and her speech was slurred. Her husband, Sean, carried her to the first aid bay for treatment and an ambulance was called immediately.
Because Soph and Sean, knew the signs of stroke and acted quickly, Ida was taken to hospital and got the treatment she needed to survive and recover.
Ida was in a rehabilitation hospital for six weeks, receiving physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and counseling sessions six hours a day, six days a week. Ida then continued with this therapy as an outpatient for a further three months. She had to re-learn how to walk, speak and eat with cutlery again. Read more.
