As May marks National Stroke Awareness month, a Fermanagh woman has spoken about how remembering the life-saving acronym of F.A.S.T (Face, Arms, Speech, and Time) saved her life when she had a stroke at 49.

Betty Parkinson (50) lives in Maguiresbridge, in November 2022 she was at work in Enniskillen Integrated Primary School and began to feel unwell.

“It was a normal day and I developed a headache just after lunch time, it was a dull headache and it went on until I went home. I lay down to rest to see if it would pass and then I went to get up, I tumbled onto the floor, and it felt like something was blocking the message through [to my brain] to get up.

"I managed to get rolled round, lifted the phone and rang 999 and at that stage my face had went numb and I recognised the F.A.S.T campaign from the TV.

“The ambulance were there very quickly and brought me to SWAH where the stroke consultant, Dr. Keegan was standing waiting on me to administer the drug (thrombolysis). That is why I am so well today and have no symptoms.”

Betty was able to receive thrombolysis at SWAH as she reported to South West Acute Hospital as soon as she recognised that she had stroke symptoms.

South West Acute Hospital Consultant, Dr. Keegan said: “Since Covid-19 there has been a reduction in the number of patients presenting to us who can receive Thrombolysis.

"Thrombolysis aims to disperse a clot causing the stroke and return the blood supply to the brain. The treatment works best the sooner it is given after the onset of a stroke and, if suitable for treatment, should be given to a patient 4.5 hours from the onset of symptoms.

“There are many patients who are not presenting to the Emergency Department within this timeframe or are unaware of their symptom onset.”

Betty described how immediately after her stroke, she had no feeling on her life side and it took some time for her hand and leg to work normally again. “After that I have been left with concentration issues and have a really short focus and concentration and a horrendous tiredness.

“But I am not complaining as I am delighted to be as well as I am.”

Betty is now working toward a phased return to work with hopes to be back to her hours before the stoke by the end of the year.

In her interview with this newspaper, Betty expressed her gratitude to the staff of the the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, SWAH stroke unit and the community stroke team. She added: “There was nothing I could fault, they were all on-the-ball and got me there in time and I am grateful for their help.”

Concluding, Betty said: “F.A.S.T saved my life, I would be someone who wouldn’t bother people unless it was really necessary but F.A.S.T made me lift the phone and ring as I was so sure of what was happening because of that campaign. It saved me from a lot worse.”