Brixton man Charles Bosah features in a new series of films designed to raise awareness of the vital role anyone can play when they see someone having a stroke.
One of the films from Public Health England shares his story.
“I was home alone when I had a stroke,” he says. “It felt like an electric shock in my head.
“When I tried to walk I had to drag my left leg. I looked in the mirror and noticed that my face had changed – it had fallen on one side.
“I tried to sit down but lost my balance, I knew something was wrong so I called 999 immediately, but I struggled to speak.
“They kept me on the phone until the ambulance arrived and took me to King’s College hospital where I was examined by doctors who confirmed I had a stroke.
“After four weeks of treatment I started to regain some mobility.
“I now actively promote the signs of a stroke in my local community to help people understand that they need to Act FAST and call 999 if they notice stroke symptoms in themselves or others.”
The FAST signs of a stroke:
Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
Arms – can they raise both arms and keep them there?
Speech – is their speech slurred?
Time – to call 999 if you see any single one of these signs of a stroke
