Going Full Out on the Big Bike for the Heart and Stroke Foundation
On May 25th, The Faris Team will be heading out on the Big Bike in an effort to raise money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Twenty eight of our staff and family members will be piloting the Big Bike through the streets of Barrie with our client and friend Matt Butler at the helm representing the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
In 2014, at the age of 38, Matt suffered from a spontaneous arterial dissection in his neck, causing him to have a stroke. At the time he was young, healthy and fit. “A stroke is impossible to pin down to any one thing,” Matt explains, “so many people are affected regardless of age or fitness. It seems that just about everyone knows someone that has had a heart and stroke related issue.” According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for Canadian men and women.
Matt will be joining us as we head out at 6pm from the Royal LePage First Contact Realty Brokerage, 299 Lakeshore Drive in Barrie. We will be travelling 2 km in 20 minutes!
Our team goal is to raise $2,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and your support is most welcome! For more details or to make a donation, please visit our team site at:http://support.heartandstroke.ca/site/TR/BigBike2015/BB_General_2015?team_id=7439&pg=team&fr_id=196
Matt’s Story:
Matt’s symptoms began suddenly on the morning of January 7,2014: piercing headache with pulsing neck pain, followed by weakening of the arm, and then the leg and finally weakness throughout his entire body and difficulty thinking straight as well as slowed and slurred speech. He recognized these as possible signs of a stroke and got himself to the hospital emergency room, where after some waiting, they acknowledged that he was likely having a stroke and administered tPA, a protein used to help break down blood clots.
Matt lost the use of both legs and one of his arms for several days. After 18 days of treatment, including many tests, the administration of a pain management program, physical and speech therapy, and other rehabilitation measures, Matt was able to leave the hospital with the aid of a walker and with months of hard work ahead of him.
He is now back to normal and has committed himself to giving back by sharing his story through volunteer efforts with the Heart and Stroke Foundation. “There is a very short window of time to allow for proper treatment of stroke. Recognizing the signs and reaching out for help immediately is key. Getting to the hospital quickly is why I lead a normal life today.”