Stroke survivor warns women of risk factors I’m a survivor. I’m a survivor of two major strokes — one at age 30 and a second stroke this past March 2, at age 38. As the single mother of two, a New Jersey resident, and a New Jersey survivor spokeswoman for the American Heart Association Go Red for Women campaign and the American Stroke Association — a division of the American Heart Association — I urge, I even plead with all mothers and women throughout New Jersey to learn their risk for stroke during May. I’m one of the 2.7 million female stroke survivors alive today in this country. At all ages, more women than men die from stroke. May is American Stroke Month. If you are a mother or a woman from any walk of life, learn your personal risk for stroke by attending the American Stroke Association’s "StrokeAlert!" program, a free community stroke risk assessment, education and screening program taking place at 75 locations around New Jersey from May 21-28. Call the American Stroke Association at 1-888-478-7653 for a "StrokeAlert!" risk assessment location near you. Stroke is the No. 3 killer of women, New Jersey’s No. 3 cause of death, and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability. But, there is life after stroke. I was a former class clown, competitive athlete and a corporate sales representative when I suffered my first stroke in 1996. I had no family history or prior symptoms. I was left with a great deal of cognitive damage ... I had to relearn to tell time, to read, to write and to count. I was fortunate in that I had a loving caregiver come into my life to help me relearn things and help me with rehabilitation. Things were improving when my second stroke occurred this March, and I made the terrific mistake of not paying attention to some warning signs. As a single mother, my life was my kids. I didn’t take care of me and I missed the symptoms. The second stroke left me with some paralysis on my left side. I have trouble standing, my left arm is a little weaker, and remembering things is sometimes difficult. My famous sense of humor and ability to tell jokes has been affected, but I’m getting better through constant rehabilitation, and I have made myself a goal that I will be walking on my own by this fall. Please — if you are a mother, especially a single mother or a woman — I urge you and all people throughout New Jersey to know stroke is an urgent medical emergency. Know the warning signs and don’t delay. Call 911 immediately. Learn your personal risk for stoke May 21-28 by attending an American Stroke Association "StrokeAlert!" screening. Call-1888-478-7653 today. Roselynn Wiley Lawrenceville New Jersey survivor and spokeswoman American Stroke Association & American Heart Association Go Red for Women