On Thursday, March 22, stroke experts Kelly Marsh and Jane Nordeman, RN, visited the 5th-grade class at Williams Elementary in Norwood, Ohio, to teach students about the causes and signs of strokes and what to do if they suspect someone is having a stroke. Marsh, a local stroke survivor who advocates for stroke education and prevention, shared her inspirational story and her journey of rehabilitation. Nordman, a registered nurse, taught students about the pathology of strokes, types of strokes, rehabilitation and prevention techniques.
Using hands-on activities in the classroom, these two experts helped students better understand the daily life of a stroke victim. They shared that every year, 800,000 people have a stroke in the United States and that the FAST acronym can help students detect signs of a stroke in their own loved ones.
What’s the FAST acronym?
F – FACE Is one side drooping?
A – ARM Is the arm numb?
S – SPEECH Are your words slurred or is it hard to speak?
T – TIME Time to call 911
Outside of teaching area students, Marsh and Nordeman also share their knowledge in the Cincinnati area and beyond. Marsh is the co-founder of One Stroke Forward Foundation, which benefits young stroke survivors, and the co-author of Love Stroke, a book that chronicles her journey of recovery. Nordeman is secretary of the Greater Cincinnati Stroke Consortium (GCSC), a nonprofit organization of healthcare workers from the Cincinnati area dedicated to educating the general public and grade school children about stroke education and prevention.
