Stroke can strike you at any age

A SOUTH Gippsland survivor of stroke is urging all Victorians to learn the signs of stroke this National Stroke Week.

Alanna Crew, of Loch, was on the phone at the time of her stroke. A busy mum of two small children, Alanna was only 32 when her stroke struck. 

“I tried to talk to my husband, but I couldn’t speak, my face had drooped, and my vision started to go blurry. I was experiencing all of the telltale F.A.S.T. signs of stroke,” Alanna said. 

“We called 000 and two ambulances were dispatched. At hospital they performed a series of tests, but it took three days and an MRI to confirm I’d had a stroke.” 

Alanna is among the 113,000 stroke survivors living in Victoria. 

It is estimated approximately 29 strokes a day are experienced by Australians of working age (18-64) every year. 

“I didn’t know that strokes happened to younger people, and I feel like there needs to be better training and resources in place for young survivors of stroke,” Alanna said.

 “My stroke left me with hidden disabilities and impacted my emotions greatly. I also suffered panic attacks which were really scary for me and my family.” 

As part of National Stroke Week (August 7-13), Stroke Foundation is encouraging the community to fight stroke together by bringing people together to share knowledge, support and resources to help prevent strokes from occurring and to aid in the recovery process for those who have experienced a stroke. 

Alanna says she was determined to fight for the sake of her family. 

“Four years on, I have mostly accepted the stroke and its impact on my daily life. My children are thriving, my family is healthy, and I am proud of how we have all coped. Mostly I am thankful that I am still here, things could have been a lot worse,” she said. 

Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr Lisa Murphy said regional Australians are 17 per cent more likely to experience a stroke than their metropolitan counterparts. 

Learn and share the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke and call triple zero (000) straight away if you suspect a stroke.