The
Grand Bahama Survivor of Stroke (GBSOS) is celebrating “Stroke Awareness Month”
during the entire month of May 2015, in affiliation with the National Stroke
Association in the United States of America.
Stroke
Awareness Month is in response to raising the awareness of stroke risk factor
management and how to recognize and respond to stroke warning signs by acting FAST.
The use of FAST is to
remember the warning signs of stroke:
Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple
phrase. Is their speech slurred or
strange?
Time: If you observe any of these sings, call
9-1-1 immediately.
The
National Stroke Association supports the GBSOS in their effort to
“enhance, educate and enrich the lives of
stroke survivors”, as it furthers their mission to reduce the incidence and
impact of stroke. Stroke has a personal
significance to GBSOS.
Over
800,000 people in the U.S. will have a stroke this year, but the fact remains
that 80% of strokes can be prevented by managing risk factors. It is the only national organization in the
U.S. that focuses 100% of its effort on stroke by developing compelling education
and programs focused on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and support for
all impacted by stroke.
Stroke
is the 5th leading cause of death in the U.S.; it’s the leading
cause of adult long-term disability and making simple lifestyle changes can dramatically
reduce stroke risk. Stroke is an
emergency! It’s important to learn
stroke warnings and how to respond to them. Time is important factor in
determining treatment options for stroke.
The
GBSOS currently has 25 members and meets at Mary Star of the Sea Church (west
wing meeting room) once a month, the last Thursday in each month. To date two meetings were held on February 26th
& March 26th, 2015 and Guest Speakers were Dr. Augustine Oheuyi,
Medical Consultant and Ms. Jordan Bowe, Dietitian, both respectively from the
Grand Bahama Health Services.
The
group is open to all stroke survivors, their caregivers and all persons
interested. Having a stroke is not the
end of the world, as there are known persons who return to work once given the
chance. Being well inform helps
prevention as well as gives hope to those who survived a stroke.
GBSOS
next meeting is Thursday, 28th May 2015 at 7pm at the Mary Star of
the Sea Church, where Dr. I. Horsfall will be the Guest Speaker. For further information, visit their Facebook
page under “Stroke Survivors (Grand
Bahama’s Stroke Survivors); What’s UP: GBSOS 242.727.1128 or Email: grandbahamasos@gmail.com.
