Don't let isolation stop you

It's frightening to think that anyone need be afraid to ask for help. My Mum had a great saying when we were growing up: better to have a stupid question than a stupid problem. As a teacher I have taken this one step further and added: there is no such thing as a stupid question (unless you're asking me for the tenth time when the lesson ends!!).

It's frightening to think that people are more afraid of catching COVID-19 than potentially saving themselves from a lifetime of debilitation and struggle. I know the message out in the community is to stay away unless you really have to go somewhere. Hello people! Having a stroke (even a suspected one) means you have a good reason to be out. And you know what? The ambo's and the nurses and doctors are all wearing protective gear and every precaution is being taken (and a big shout out to all those on the front line: you're doing a great job!).

One day we will all look back on this time, and thank whoever you believe in (God, Fate, The Universe) that we survived it. One day we will say we used to stay home because of COVID-19.

But will there ever be a day when we can say "we used to stay home because of stroke"? Will there come a day when everyone knows the signs and can identify them, even in the very young, the very fit, the very unlikely, and get them help F.A.S.T.?

I really hope and pray that this is a day in the future. Just like I hope and pray to be able to one day say "I used to have diabetes" and "I used to have endometriosis". But until that day comes, we need to educate the community to look for the signs and act F.A.S.T.