GIMME FIVE!
Mum inspires stroke campaign
LITTLE Finlay Taylor is on a mission to save lives after a stroke nearly robbed him of the mum he adores.
And a charity campaign is asking you to Give a Fiver for Finlay to help him.
Two years ago, the 10-year-old had been looking forward to an Easter treat but instead he sat at home not knowing if his mum Debbie Matthew would live.
Finlay, from Comrie, Perthshire, was just seven when Debbie collapsed with a stroke.
Since then, he has worked tirelessly to inform people of FAST – an acronym designed to help you determine if someone has had a stroke – and to raise charity cash.
In honour of his work, Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland are today launching their new campaign in his name on World Stroke Day.
Every £5 raised could help the charity educate 50 people about the signs of a stroke.
On Easter Sunday 2016, Finlay was due to join Debbie, his step-dad Johnny and a group of their friends at Drummond Castle.
Debbie, 42, who lived in nearby Muthill at the time, said: “I remember feeling dizzy and had a thumping headache.
“I had what felt like pins and needles all down my arm. I couldn’t see.
“I tried to stand up but I couldn’t because it was like my right side was dead. I tried to tell myself to speak but I couldn’t get anything to come out.”
She managed to press redial on her phone to contact Johnny, who rushed home and spoke to an ambulance controller who explained FAST and confirmed Debbie had suffered a stroke.
She was taken to Perth Royal Infirmary, where she spent the next five days in the high dependency unit, unable to move her fingers, arms or toes. She then spent six weeks in a rehabilitation unit where she had to relearn motor skills.
Through it all, Finlay was by her side – helping her learn to use her hands again by playing games and then helping with housework and making sure she was safely downstairs before school.
He began to carry FAST cards with him, handing them out to help raise awareness of the symptoms. And both he and Debbie have learned to do CPR.
Today, CHSS will release a video of Finlay talking about how much he missed his mum when she was in hospital and how worried he was about her when she got out.
He then gives a masterclass in FAST. Finlay said: “I am asking people to donate because it could save so many lives if everyone knew FAST.”
Jane-Claire Judson, CHSS chief executive, said: “What Finlay’s doing is inspirational. I hope lots of Record readers get behind Finlay’s awareness campaign and give a Fiver for Finlay.”
To donate and watch Finlay’s video, go to: www.chss.org.uk/finlay