WASHINGTON, June 16 (UPI) -- A 31-year-old woman who survived two strokes that paralyzed her entire left side and robbed her of her voice says anyone can get a stroke.
Valerie Greene spent years undergoing rigorous therapies to fully regain and refine her abilities, and today she is a national speaker who warns the public about the signs of stroke.
"We need to do all we can as a nation to educate the public on the warning signs and symptoms of stroke," Greene said. "Stroke is a medical emergency."
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 45 seconds; every 3 minutes, someone dies.
Signs of stroke include sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body; sudden severe headache with no known cause: sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; or sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
