FOR most children their grandparents and parents are their heroes who help them, nurture them and love them.
What children don’t know is that sometimes even heroes need help.
Every day up to 360 South Africans are affected by strokes, with data suggesting that about a third will die, and a quarter will be left with life-changing disability.
The risk of stroke increases with age and in South Africa stroke is the most common cause of death of people older than 50 years.
This October (Stroke Month), the Angels Initiative is on a mission to save South African heroes by getting families around the country to join the FAST 112 Heroes.
The team will be visiting schools to help children identify the signs of strokes, teach them what to do should one of their loved ones experience these signs, and turn them into the next generation of heroes.
The team will provide the schools with material and teach them creative ideas to remember all important stroke indicators so they can remember how to save their hero.
A stroke is a ‘brain attack’ that occurs when oxygen supply to the brain is cut off by a blockage or damage to a blood vessel in the brain.
This causes the brain cells to die, which can be fatal or result in disability.
The chances of recovery for stroke sufferers depend on somebody recognising that they are experiencing a stroke and getting them to hospital FAST.
If you suspect a stroke do the FAST test4:
• Face: Smile and see if one side droops
• Arm: Raise both arms. Does one arm drift down?
• Speech: Repeat any sentence. Is there trouble speaking or understanding?
• Time: Time saved is brain function saved. A person loses 1.9 million neurons each minute in which a stroke is left untreated.
Visit www.fastheroes.com for more information on stroke, to register as an ambassador or nominate a school to join the campaign.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
