This article was Contributed by: James Behary, '57 - & -  Bill Colandrea, '57

STROKE:  Remember The 1st Three Letters... S.T.R.

  
                 
My friend sent this to me and encouraged me to post it and spread the word.  I agree.  If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks. Seriously .. please read:

   
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:  

During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and  took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food.  While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid's husband called later, telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00pm,  Ingrid passed away.)  She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.  
 

    It only takes a minute to read this...  
    

A  neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours, he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.  
 

RECOGNIZING A STROKE  
 

 Thank God for the sense to remember the "3" steps, STR . Read and Learn!  
 

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are  difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people  nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.  
 

Now doctors say a bystander can  recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:   
   
         S*        Ask the individual to SMILE. 

         T*        Ask the person to TALK & SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (coherently, i.e., It is sunny out today). 

         R*       Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH  ARMS. 

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately!! and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this, sends it to 10 people;  you can bet that at least one life will

 be saved.