Points to Ponder On I hereby take upon myself to fulfill the mitzvah, "Love your fellowman as yourself".

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells
disaster. The stroke victim could suffer brain damage during a critically short period while people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Here's good news, though: An alert bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

*Ask the individual to SMILE.

*Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

*Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently, for example, "It is sunny out today").

If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 911 immediately (or in Israel, 101) and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged the general public to learn the three questions. They presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last February. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis, treatment of the stroke, prevention of brain damage, and saving of lives.

Knowledge of the easy tips in this post could help you save another person's life, maybe even a loved one. Saving a life is one of the loftiest mitzvas in the Torah; the more you pass this article on to others, the more merit in potential lifesaving you accrue. It's that simple.

Remember: A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted by a blockage or breakage of blood vessels. This may be a life threatening condition. The faster you react, the greater the chances of saving the victim's life and preventing permanent damage.

May Hashem send a speedy recovery to all the sick, amen.

By Rabbi Lazer Brody  בס"ד

Recognizing a stroke: You could be the one to save a life, reprinted with the Kind authorization of Rabbi Lazer Brody  בס"ד  from  Lazer Beams.