My FAST Hero

In 2018, Stewart became a F.A.S.T. Hero when he saved his wife Shannon's life by calling triple zero (000) at the first sign of her stroke. 

Stewart heard Shannon thrashing about in bed, and realised that she had fallen onto the floor. Shannon was unresponsive, and it looked like one side of her face had drooped, which Stewart knew was one of the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke. 

He called an ambulance and within minutes paramedics arrived. Shannon was stuck between their bed and the wall, so paramedics had to manoeuvre her out on a HoverMatt.

By this time Shannon knew she was having a stroke, and as she was dragged down the hallway she began to cry. 

Because of Stewart’s quick action, Shannon was able to receive both clot-busting drugs and clot retrieval therapy, which saved her life and reduced the severity of her disabilities. 

Shannon’s speech was affected, along with the ability to move her right hand, but she has since made a remarkable recovery and is back to work as a nurse. 

For National Stroke Week Shannon has recorded a video to thank Stewart for saving her life, and to urge others to become F.A.S.T Heroes by learning the signs of stroke.