Halifax stroke survivor hopes her story helps others spot the warning signs

HALIFAX – When retired music teacher Margaret Perron was visiting her son in Ottawa in 2008, she unexpectedly felt symptoms she had never experienced before. She was walking when she suddenly felt weakness in her legs.

“A lady just close by me helped me so I didn’t fall down,” she said. “She laid me down and I found out I had no speech and I could not talk.”

Fortunately for Perron, bystanders quickly called 911. She woke up later in an Ottawa hospital surrounded by family, where she found out she had suffered a stroke.

She couldn’t speak for a year and lost most of the mobility in her right arm.

She credits music therapy and a strong rehabilitation program for helping in her recovery in past six years.

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As Perron discovered from experience, time is of the essence when it comes to a stroke. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, there are an estimated 62,000 strokes in Canada each year, and more than 80 per cent who make it to the hospital survive.

Dr. Gord Gubitz, a stroke neurologist with the Capital District Health Authority in Halifax, says it’s vital for stroke patients to be identified and treated promptly.

“If we can identify it’s a real stroke caused by a blood clot, then we can act very quickly and give medication through an intravenous to dissolve the blood clot,” he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "If we can identify it's a real stroke caused by a blood clot, then we can act very quickly and give medication through an intravenous to dissolve the blood clot," he said.

“We only have about four and a half hours from the time of the onset of a person’s symptoms to give them that medication through the intravenous but ideally we’d like to give it as soon as possible.”

READ MORE: Pay attention to stroke warning signs, Heart and Stroke Foundation says

It’s prompted the Heart & Stroke Foundation to launch a campaign Wednesday that features a new acronym encouraging people to act “FAST.”

The simple acronym, which reminds people to look for signs of stroke in the face, arms and speech, is designed to be easy to remember. People who recognize the symptoms in themselves or in someone else are encouraged to call 911 as quickly as possible.

Perron says she also wants to make sure the public recognizes the signs of stroke and understands that recovery is possible.

“I’m grateful for the stage where I am, but still looking for the next step. There’s always new research going on in the community.”