A F.A.S.T. stubby holder helped to save my mate's wife

By Richo

They breed them tough in the Top End. And if like me you’ve survive stroke, cyclones, crocs and bumpy schooling; these trials and tribulations, help to forge deep and lifelong friendships.

In the last four years since my stroke, I have seen this insidious disease strike many of my friends. Thirty-two people I know of have had a stroke, and sadly five did not survive. It seems like not a month goes by without someone contacting me about a family member or friend who has had a stroke.

In the NT we’re short on stroke support and services, so it falls on the community to support each other. We’re a motley crew but we’re there for each other – all heart.

Recently a mate took his family on a little trip to see some of the historical spots from the Darwin bombing in WW2. His wife decided to stay in the camp while the rest went roaming. When they got back, he saw that his wife looked crook. Because I had had a stroke, he checked the F.A.S.T. signs and sure enough she was showing slurred speech. Ironically, she was holding one of the F.A.S.T. stubbies that I had given them.

He acted quickly, got her into the car immediately and alerted the hospital that his wife was having a stroke.

With quick thinking he got his wife to hospital in time for lifesaving treatment. I am proud of my mate for acting fast, and I will get more F.A.S.T. stubby holders printed and into the hands of fellow Territorians asap.