F.A.S.T. Hero:
Sheila Beal
“I’m so grateful and honored to receive this F.A.S.T. Hero award. As I learned through my husband’s stroke experience, recognizing the signs of a stroke and acting quickly is incredibly important for the best possible outcome.
I’m thankful to the American Stroke Association and American Heart Association for their educational websites that aided me in making the decision to seek help for my husband. That advice empowered me to insist we go to the Emergency Room. With swift medical care he had a rapid and, thankfully, full recovery.” – Sheila Beal
Sheila Beal’s extraordinary instincts and determination were key to saving her husband, Andy, during a life-threatening health crisis in April 2018. Andy woke up at 4 a.m. and went to the bathroom as he'd done hundreds of times before. This time, though, the 44-year-old North Carolina man had trouble getting back into bed.
“I collapsed. I had to like roll into bed,” Andy said. “The entire right side of my body was paralyzed.”
Sheila noticed Andy’s unusual behavior, which included confused speech and balance issues. She called 911, and first responders suspected a transient ischemic attack, or TIA, and advised follow-up care for a possible “warning stroke.” Andy dismissed the situation and went back to bed.
But Sheila was still on guard. She researched stroke warning signs on the American Stroke Association’s website, canceled her morning plans, woke Andy up and drove him to the hospital. In the emergency room, Andy tragically suffered a second, more severe stroke. Thanks to Sheila’s insistence, he was already in the care of medical professionals, allowing him to receive timely, lifesaving treatment and have the best chance at recovery. Hospital staff called him a “walking miracle.”
Since that day, Andy has lost a significant amount of weight and focused on his health. Sheila has shared her experience to raise awareness about stroke symptoms and the importance of acting F.A.S.T. (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty and Time to call 911).
Sheila’s courage and determination exemplify the F.A.S.T. Hero spirit. Her quick action serves as an inspiration and a call to action for others. She not only saved Andy’s life, she also empowers others to recognize and respond to stroke symptoms, potentially saving countless lives.
