This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

ST. LOUIS — May is National Stroke Awareness Month and local stroke survivors are sharing their stories to help save lives.

Doctors say a stroke can happen to anyone at any time. It occurs when blood is blocked from the brain. Symptoms of a stroke include slurred speech, trouble walking, and paralysis of the arm, leg, and face.

Kathleen Moorer says she had high blood pressure, which caused her to have a stroke about 18 months ago.

“My whole left side was paralyzed. I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t use my arm, my hand. I woke up on October 3, 2020, and fell on the floor,” she said. “I knew it was bad because I couldn’t get up. I couldn’t walk.”

“Before I had a stroke I knew nothing about it,” Moorer added. “Awareness needs to be brought to people’s attention.”

Moorer says she was in the hospital for a month, followed by intensive rehab for six months.
If you are experiencing symptoms of stroke doctors say call 911 immediately.