Do you recognise your stroke anniversary?

On Sunday Kelly and her family celebrated Kelly's 5-year stroke anniversary and her children had a message for both their parents.

Kelly had a stroke one week after her 40th birthday. Luckily, Kelly’s partner happened to be running late for work that day and was still at home when it occurred.

She was in the bathroom when suddenly she couldn’t lift her arm. She knew instantly that something was wrong and that she had to get help.

Her husband Bruce heard her making strange noises as she tried to lift her arm and it came down with a thud on the vanity. Bruce came to her aid immediately, then disappeared. Kelly remembers thinking – what are you doing? I need your help!

Little did she know Bruce had already called triple zero and an ambulance was nearly at the house. At this stage, Kelly was showing all the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke. Kelly says her mouth was about on her shoulder, it had drooped so much.

Kelly's kids know that their dad saved their mum's life. He leaped into action immediately, called triple 000, and the newly minted Stroke Ambulance treated Kelly in their street.

Kelly says, "I got myself a tattoo to recognise my survival". I am still here and thriving because of a team of people. My wonderful husband Bruce, my amazing children, my friends, the Stroke Foundation, The Monash Hospital and the Mobile Stroke Unit.

Thank you all for saving me.

Kelly got a tattoo of her stroke. What do you do to recognise the anniversary of your stroke?