WHEN Lina Brohier experienced headaches and muscle and speech problems four years ago, she never suspected she was on the verge of suffering a stroke.
The Reservoir residentthought strokes were something that only affected older people, not knowing there was an arteriovenous malformation in her brain, an abnormal connection between blood vessels that can cause a stroke at any age.
Mrs Brohier was only 31 when she suffered a stroke in August 2008 while driving home one night.
"My right arm fell off the steering wheel, before I knew it the same thing had happened to my leg and I slumped in the seat," she said. "I rang a family member and they drove me to hospital."
If she'd known how serious it was, Mrs Brohier would have called 000 as it's important stroke victims receive medical treatment as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of permanent brain damage.
Mrs Brohier spent a fortnight in hospital and then two months in rehabilitation recovering from the stroke, which left her with no muscle movement on the right-hand side of her body.
"It's basically relearning how to brush your teeth and butter toast and take a shower. It's difficult."
Mrs Brohier was eventually able to return to normal life and she has since had a son, one-year-old Luca.
She has also became an ambassador for the Stroke Foundation and hopes to teach people to be wary of stroke symptoms.
"No one should ever think that it won't happen to them."
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Reservoir mum warns of stroke danger