Young Geelong stroke survivor Jasmine West’s brave recovery

When a Hamlyn Heights woman woke up after weeks on life support, all she could do was blink. Now, she’s sharing her story of recovery.

One day in 2016, Geelong woman Jasmine West’s life changed forever.

Then 25 and working at a Warrnambool hospital, she was in the storeroom when she went to put at item away.

Her neck felt “funny” and she was faint.

She knew, being in the storage room, that someone might not find her for some time, and

she stumbled out and collapsed.

Hamlyn Heights woman Jasmine West had a stroke at 25 years old in 2016. Picture: Mark Wilson

After she came to, doctors gave her vertigo tablets and she went home, she said.

But the next day she could not speak properly, and was flown to hospital in Melbourne where a clot was discovered.

Ms West said tearing an artery in her neck had triggered a stroke.

Ms West, who now lives in Hamlyn Heights, spent 18 days on life support and when she woke up was unable to do anything except blink.

She had what is known as locked in syndrome from the stroke.

Despite being mentally aware she had to use blinking to communicate for a couple of months.

“You’re a prisoner in your body,” she said.

Ms West spent a total of five months in hospital, relearning to walk, talk, eat and shower.

She deals with ongoing side effects but is grateful she was granted a second chance at life.

“I walk quite slowly; I’ve got right sided weakness,” the 31-year-old said.

“It’s definitely impacted my ability to work.”

She was in the healthcare sector before the stroke but now had to find a new career off her feet.

Ms West said she believed there needed to be more stroke awareness, especially around young survivors.

“You always get told ‘you’re too young for a stroke,’” she said.

Stroke is one of Australia’s biggest killers and a leading cause of disability.

National Stroke Week began on Monday, with the theme ‘precious moments’.

The Stroke Foundation is encouraging the community to learn the F.A.S.T message so that more people survive and live well after stroke, and can keep enjoying life’s precious moments.

F stands for face – check their face and if their mouth drooped.

A stands for arms – see if they can they lift both arms.

S stands for speech – see if their speech is slurred.

T stands for time – time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call triple triple-0 straight away.

People could save a life by learning the F.A.S.T message and calling an ambulance if they suspect a stroke.

Originally published as Young Geelong stroke survivor Jasmine West’s brave recovery