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Stroke Awareness Month

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May marks Stroke Awareness Month, designed to raise knowledge about a condition which affects approximately 152,000 people each year.

Here at Free Spirit, we aim to assist people who have suffered a stroke, enabling them to take holidays either in the UK or abroad with the knowledge that they have the right travel insurance in place to protect them whilst on their travels.

What is a stroke?

The Stroke Association describes a stroke as “…a brain attack. It happens when the blood supply to part of your brain is cut off. Blood carries essential nutrients and oxygen to your brain. Without blood, your brain cells can be damaged or die. This damage can have different effects, depending on where it happens in your brain. A stroke can affect the way your body works as well as how you think, feel and communicate.”

There are different types of stroke and, as such, differing ways in which a person can be left affected. Strokes can also affect anyone of any age including babies and children.

Recognising the symptoms of a stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency and as such you need to act quickly if you think that someone is suffering from a stroke.

The FAST test will help you to recognise the symptoms.

  • F – Facial weakness, can the person smile or has their face fallen on one side?
  • A-Arm weakness, can the person raise both arms and leave them there?
  • S – Speech problems, can the person speak clearly enough for you to understand what they are saying or is their speech slurred?
  • T – Time, if they are suffering from any of the above symptoms you need to immediately call 999.

Stroke travel insurance

Free Spirit are specialists in providing travel insurance to people with medical conditions including stroke survivors. The disabilities and medical issues that a person can be left with following a stroke differ from person to person. At Free Spirit we make a medical assessment based on the individual, to ensure you get travel insurance suitable for your needs.

You can get a quote online or call us. There is no physical examination required; we will simply ask you a series of questions about your stroke to understand your current medical needs, for example:

  • How many strokes have you had in total?
  • How long ago was your last stroke?
  • How many strokes have you had in the last 6 months?
  • Are you awaiting surgery for this condition and/or for any scans to be performed?
  • Do you currently use any mobility aids?
  • Have you had any transient ischaemic attacks (mini-strokes) since your last stroke?
  • Do you suffer from an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation)?
  • Are you on medication to thin the blood (excluding aspirin)?
  • Have you ever been a smoker?

The answers you provide help us ensure you get the cover for your medical condition(s).

Our friendly team of experts are ready to speak to you today, call us on 02392 419 080. 

We are also able to provide holiday insurance to your family and friends who are travelling with you. That means that if your health prevents you from travelling and your trip has to be cancelled they will also be protected by their insurance cover. This may not be the case if they had their own separate policies.

How you can support Stroke Awareness Month

More details regarding Stroke Awareness Month can be found via the Stroke Association website. The theme is to make May Purple and there are a range of ways in which you can show your support.

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