STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters... S.T.R.  
My friend sent this to me and encouraged me to post it and spread the word. I agree. If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks.
Seriously.. Please read: 

                                                        STROKE IDENTIFICATION:  

During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) and that she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food.  While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm, Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.
It only takes a minute to read this...

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

                                                    RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank God for the sense to remember the "3" steps, STR.

Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

                  S *       Ask the individual to SMILE.
                  T *       Ask the person to TALK to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE
                             (Coherently) (i.e. . . It is sunny out today)
                  R *       Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

  *NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out their
                  tongue .  If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other,
                  that is also an indication of a stroke.   If he or she has trouble with
                  ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the
                  symptoms to the dispatcher!

     A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this, you can bet that at least one life will be saved. 

Blessings To You All...Much Love, Linda

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