Brain attack

To the editor: The National Stroke Association and NBC have partnered in the fight against stroke and are sponsoring a television special in our area on Saturday, Apr. 14, from 7 to 8 p.m., titled, “Brain Attack: A Stroke Survival Guide”. This one-hour show will educate the public about stroke risk, stroke symptom recognition “F.A.S.T.”, (face, arms, speech, time) and recent breakthroughs in rehabilitation. The show will feature real-life stories from stroke survivors, including celebrities, as well as encourage viewer participation with an interactive Stroke Smart quiz. This show is an incredible opportunity for you, your family and your friends to increase stroke awareness. This could be one of the most important hours you spend in front of your television set! Act “F.A.S.T.” if stroke symptoms strikes: • Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop? • Arms: Ask the person to raise their arms. Does one arm drift downward? • Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can he or she repeat the sentence properly? • Time: is extremely important. If the person shows any of these signs, time is very important. Call 911 Carole Boutilier, RN, Coordinator, Newton Memorial Hospital Stroke Program