Meet Merryl, a resilient stroke survivor

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide.¹ For survivors, life after a stroke is a unique and often challenging journey. In Merryl's case, he dismissed early warning signs for nearly two days, mistakenly believing his symptoms would resolve on their own. As a survivor, he is passionate about raising awareness of the critical importance of seeking immediate medical attention after experiencing any stroke symptoms to minimize potential damage and disability.

“As I go back and look at it, I had all of the symptoms of a stroke, except for one, and I chose to ignore it,” said Merryl. “B.E. F.A.S.T. is an acronym used for the symptoms of a stroke. B stands for loss of balance. E stands for drooping eyes or blurred vision. F stands for face - a drooping face. A stands for weakness of your arms. S stands for speech, slurred speech, and T stands for time to get medical attention as quickly as possible.”

Thanks to his wife for getting him to the hospital and the skilled intervention of local healthcare professionals, Merryl received treatment for the blood clot in his brain.

Since his stroke, Merryl has been remarkably active. He's built a storage shed in his backyard, constructed a pavilion for outdoor gatherings, and begun renovating his basement. He has also returned to work full-time. Merryl is moving forward, enjoying an active lifestyle and cherishing time with his loved ones.

Life after a stroke – Merryl’s stroke survivor story