Young stroke survivor works to raise awareness as NT falls behind

Alison Reidy, a 38-year-old Darwin mother, is sharing her stroke experience to urge Northern Territory residents to recognize stroke symptoms early after her own delayed diagnosis. Ms Reidy initially dismissed months of vertigo, fatigue and headaches as exhaustion from parenting, only seeking help when she woke at 4:30am with what she described as “the worst headache of my life” – an icepick sensation behind her eye and a tearing feeling along her head. She spent 10 days in hospital following her stroke.

The Stroke Foundation reports the Northern Territory has the worst rates of stroke symptom recognition in Australia, with many residents unaware of the FAST signs (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency services). Research indicates 80 percent of strokes are preventable through risk factor management, yet delays in symptom recognition contribute to poorer outcomes in the NT compared to other jurisdictions.

Richard Crookes, who suffered a lenticulostriate stroke in 2021 following back surgery, illustrates the ongoing challenges faced by NT stroke survivors. After a five-month hospital stay to regain movement on his right side and relearn basic functions, Mr Crookes must travel to Adelaide every eight weeks for essential rehabilitation services unavailable locally. He has stated that if his condition worsens, he may need to leave the Northern Territory permanently to access adequate care.

Health professionals emphasize that stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is interrupted by a blockage or rupture, potentially causing cognitive impairment, mobility issues, or death. Immediate medical attention is critical, as treatments like clot-busting drugs are most effective when administered within hours of symptom onset.

Ms Reidy now advocates for greater public education campaigns and improved access to neurologists and trained physiotherapists in the NT, aiming to prevent others from experiencing the confusion and delay she faced when her symptoms were initially misattributed to migraines or ear crystals by healthcare providers.