Mother promotes wider understanding of a condition that could have paralysed her

Devon’s Wendy Agar is raising awareness about strokes after her own experience has left her with the effects months later.

Wendy, who works as an administrator at Exmouth’s Specsavers store, is sharing details of the day she endured the medical emergency, with the aim of highlighting its symptoms to others.

The 63-year-old had a stroke on the 1st of February this year while settling down for a brief afternoon nap.

She said: ‘My eyes were closed but I was aware something wasn’t right. I felt like the room was spinning and I was nauseous. I started vomiting and it was nonstop, followed by multiple episodes of diarrheoa.

‘I could hardly breathe and I couldn’t talk. Anything I looked at was upside down or sideways. My daughter helped me up, but I couldn’t walk because I couldn’t get my balance, like I was on a boat. I was bent over and bouncing on my feet like a chimpanzee.

‘My daughter turned the light on and it made me vomit again. I couldn’t cope with it. I eventually got into bed, but I was in agony and still vomiting. We called 111 and they sent out the paramedics.

‘They did tests and said I’d had a stroke at the back of my neck. In the ambulance I was on oxygen and an intravenous drip, and they said that if the blockage in the blood vessels had been bigger, I’d have been paralysed with locked-in syndrome. The whole experience was so shocking for me.

‘The thing is, I didn’t really have the typical stroke signs. There was no left-side drop of my face, no weakness down one side of my body, although I did have a slight slur in my speech.

‘They’re now managing it with medication, but I’m still coming to terms with my balance and my vision.’

Wendy’s case was diagnosed as a cerebrovascular accident, which occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted.

She has now returned to work at Specsavers Exmouth, building up the hours she spends at the store, but she does sometimes still have difficulties with her speech and occasionally walks with hiking sticks to aid her balance.

She added: ‘Everyone at the store has been fantastic and so supportive. They understand what I’ve gone through and they don’t want to hurry me at all.

‘The thing is, this could happen to anyone. We’ve all seen the publicity about FAST – Face, Arms, Speech and Time – but my symptoms weren’t typical, and the doctors said there’s a huge number of people who have strokes but don’t realise it. People have mini–strokes without being aware of them.

‘People need to be aware of the signs, for themselves and also so they can recognise it in others. Often, none of us knows what people are going through, with many people covering up their conditions, so I think we should all be compassionate for each other.’

Ria Heskins, Specsavers Exmouth director, said everyone at the store was stunned when they learned about Wendy’s experience.

She added: ‘Wendy really is a breath of fresh air here. She’s always bubbly and so positive. She puts everyone at ease with her personality, and she means so much to all of us, which is why we’re so grateful that she’s getting through this terrible experience. We’re all being as supportive as we can for her because her health is the most important thing.’

The Stroke Association’s website at www.stroke.org.uk has information to assist people who have had a stroke, as well as their family and friends.

To book a eye test or hearing check at Specsavers Exmouth, visit the store at Exeter Road, Exmouth, or call 01395 277107.

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