Walter Gretzky saved life of Simcoe woman he never met

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BRANTFORD Walter Gretzky had a positive influence on countless people — including many he never met.

A Norfolk County woman, who wants to maintain her privacy, is one such person. She wants to share her experience so that others can benefit.

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Walter Gretzky saved life of Simcoe woman he never met Back to video

A year ago, Suzie (not her real name) was out for her daily jog in Simcoe. It was a beautiful sunny autumn day.

She is a high energy-person so, when she began to feel tired, she found it unusual. Back home, she poured herself a drink but the glass of water fell and smashed on the floor.

While her friend, Robert (not his real name), cleaned up the broken glass, Suzie realized her right leg was numb and she could not lift it. Suddenly, her vision became blurred.

“I told (Robert) I thought I was having a stroke,” Suzie said.

Robert agreed.

“A number of years ago, I attended a speech Walter Gretzky made,” he said. “He talked about the symptoms of stroke.”

“Sitting in the kitchen with (Suzie) that morning, I recognized the symptoms.”

Within minutes, the pair were at Norfolk General Hospital’s emergency department. Suzie said she remembers laying on a stretcher, speaking with an emergency physician.

“My words were jumbled. I knew what I was saying, but the doctor did not,” she said.

Right away, Suzie and Robert were in an ambulance speeding to Brantford General Hospital.

At the BGH emergency department, staff were waiting. An emergency physician was standing at the ambulance as the doors swung open. Immediately, many tests were completed, including an emergency CT scan.

“I remember the nurses asking if I had any special instructions on file” Suzie said. “If necessary would I want to be resuscitated?

“I was very scared.”

The physician, in consultation with a Telestroke Ontario neurologist, reviewed the results of the CT scan and determined Suzie was eligible to receive a lifesaving clot-busting medication. She was admitted to the BGH intensive care unit.

“I remember having horrific neck pain. It was terrifying,” Suzie said.

Suddenly, while riding in the elevator to the ICU, Suzie noticed her vision improving. Amazingly, she was discharged two days later.

But she made many more trips to BGH, this time to the stroke prevention clinic.

Now, one year later, Suzie is recovering well.

“We need to trust our instincts,” she said.

“If you have an abnormal feeling get checked.”

Robert suggested that everyone get to know the symptoms of stroke that he learned from Walter Gretzky.

“The acronym is FAST,” Robert said.

It stands for: Face drooping; Arms cannot be raised; Speech is slurred or jumbled; and Time to call 911 right away.

Suzie and Robert are thankful for the emergency care they received and that they recognized the symptoms of stroke and acted fast.

They are also thankful for the late Walter Gretzky.

Oct. 29 is World Stroke Day

Hospital Insider is written by Gary Chalk who assists with communications for the Brant Community Healthcare System.