When you think of first aid, you might picture bumps, bruises, and little cuts (which are plentiful in my house with six children!). But what about something bigger - something that can change a life in seconds, like a stroke?
Here's a topic that’s close to my heart - quite literally, my family’s heart - as my lovely dad suffered a stroke a few years ago.
I know first-hand how suddenly a stroke can strike, and how vital it is to spot the signs quickly. So today, I’m sharing a bit of our story, what I learned from it, and why stroke awareness is something everyone needs in their life-saving toolkit.
“It was just like any other day…”
It really was. My dad had spent the day doing what he loves most - cheering on his beloved Bristol City (he’s been a season ticket holder for as long as I can remember!). We were all in Bristol getting ready to celebrate my mum’s 70th birthday the next day, so the house was full, busy and happy.
That night, we’d all gone to bed when my mum called out for me - “Kate, come down, something’s not right with Dad.”
When I got to their room, my dad was awake but not himself. He looked confused and was struggling to move properly. His face looked uneven, and when he spoke, his words were slurred. It was that strange mix of terrifying and surreal - one minute everything’s fine, and the next, your whole world shifts.
At first glance, you might have thought he was just tired or maybe had a drink or two watching the match, but deep down I knew something was seriously wrong. Years of first aid experience kicked in instantly. I remembered the signs of a stroke - Face, Arms, Speech, Time - and everything lined up.
We tested his smile, asked him to lift his arms, tried to get him to talk clearly… and within seconds it was obvious. My heart was pounding, but I knew we had to stay calm and act fast.
We dialled 999 straight away and told the call handler we suspected a stroke. Those words are so important - they mean the emergency team can prioritise and send the right help as quickly as possible.
Within minutes, the paramedics arrived. They were incredible - calm, reassuring, and focused. They confirmed what we feared: Dad was having a stroke. Watching them work so quickly, getting him onto a stretcher and down the stairs, is something I’ll never forget.
From the moment my mum called me to the time Dad received treatment in hospital, everything happened in less than an hour. That speed - that quick recognition and call for help - quite literally saved his life.
Recognising the signs of stroke: Think FAST
There’s one acronym we always teach in our Adult Awareness classes, and it’s an absolute must-know for everyone: FAST.
- F – Face: Is one side drooping?
- A – Arms: Can they lift both arms?
- S – Speech: Is their speech slurred or strange?
- T – Time: Call 999 immediately. Every second counts.
That last one - time - is the most important. My dad’s stroke was caused by a blood clot in the brain, and the faster he received anti-clotting medication, the better his chance of recovery.
The paramedics arrived quickly, recognising it as an emergency, and he was given treatment within the hour. That speed made all the difference.
Source: Stroke Association
The road to recovery
Even with quick treatment, my dad’s stroke had a huge impact. He lost feeling and movement down his left side and had to relearn how to walk, hold a fork, even carry a mug.
Years on, he’s made incredible progress - but it’s been hard work. He’s taken part in pioneering rehab using VR headsets to help retrain his brain, like “gaming physio”! It’s been fascinating (and emotional) watching him fight his way back, and it’s given me an even deeper drive to make sure more families know what to do in those first crucial minutes.
It’s not just older people
A lot of people still believe strokes only happen to the elderly. My dad wasn’t even 70 when it happened - and we now know that strokes can happen at any age.
That’s why we’ve made sure stroke awareness is part of our training. We want every family to feel confident recognising the signs and acting fast.
Why stroke awareness matters
If you take one thing away from this story, let it be this: knowing the signs of a stroke and acting quickly can save a life - or change the outcome completely.
It’s not just something for doctors or medics to know. It’s for all of us - parents, grandparents, colleagues, friends. It’s part of the life toolkit we all need.
And the best bit? Learning it only takes two hours.
Final thoughts
My dad has been an absolute hero through all this. He even fundraises for the Stroke Association now and takes part in research to help others. He’d probably tell me off for sharing his story (he’s very selfless like that!), but I know he’d agree that if it helps even one family act faster, it’s worth it.
So, if you’ve never learned about stroke awareness or haven’t taken a first aid class in a while - now’s the time.
Book an Adult Awareness class today and get confident knowing what to do when every second counts.
Kate x
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