Alison White has been a communications specialist for most of her adult life, so on March 13 this year, when she was struggling to find words, she knew something was wrong.
"I was on my way to work and my brain was foggy which was unsettling. As the day went on, my symptoms persisted. I went home after talking with a couple of my friends, who had noticed that I seemed to be having trouble finding my words."
The 52-year-old was taken to hospital, where she was told she'd had a rare stroke that occurs in the part of the brain that plays a key role in movement, speech and emotions. It's known as a basal ganglia stroke.
"My life changed that day. The stroke left me with memory lapses, sensory challenges, and a struggle to articulate my thoughts - a cruel irony for someone whose identity was rooted in communication. Simple tasks like using my phone or remembering how to make tea became daunting challenges."
Alison was determined to overcome the challenges and was persistent in her recovery.
"Being a book lover, I turned to Pride and Prejudice, typing passages daily to retrain my fingers and mind," Alison said.
"There are still days when I mourn the person I was before the stroke; confident, articulate, and always in control. Yet, I am determined to redefine success on my own terms. My journey is far from over, but with each step forward, I reclaim a piece of myself."
Alison is sharing their story to mark National Stroke Week which runs from August 5 to 11 and encourages people to know the F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech and Time) message to ensure they can save the life of a loved one if they have a stroke.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr Lisa Murphy is urging all Australians to learn the signs of stroke as part of the national awareness week.
"Knowing the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke saves lives. The faster a stroke patient gets to hospital and receives medical treatment, the better their chance of survival and successful rehabilitation."
Think F.A.S.T and ask these questions: Face - Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
Arms - Can they lift both arms?
Speech - Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time - Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call 000 straight away.
