The message is simple - Time is brain.

The faster you can be treated after stroke, the more chance you have of making a full recovery.

That's the key message for this year's National Stroke Week.

Port Macquarie's Amy Jennings was just 32 years of age when she suffered a stroke.

The impacts on her and husband Rob Fish were significant but through resilience and hard work, Amy has been able to restore her speech and, importantly, independence.

"Stroke can happen at any age. I am now seven years post-stroke but still have speech and physiotherapy rehabilitation," she said.

"I found that during the rehabilitation phase, the key focus was on restoring my independence. Robert was working and I couldn't simply sit around.

"But you have to work hard (to get positive results)."

Amy lost the movement down her right side and lost her ability for speech.

However, she is now regained her ability to walk and also drives a modified vehicle.

After completing an Allied Health Assistance course through TAFE, Amy stepped into the realm of tutoring stroke survivors who have severe aphasia - the impairment of language.

"My main focus is now helping others with aphasia and raising awareness of stroke," she says.

Stroke sufferers also talk about the importance of maintaining good mental health and well-being during the rehabilitation process.

Amy also formed - and remains president of - the Port Macquarie Stroke Association.

While currently unable to meet, the group's members have informal catch-ups. They hope to return to normal meetings in the near future.

"My main message to people is, don't be impatient with me. I will respond, it just time to form my words," she said.

"Aphasia is a loss of speech; it's not a loss of intelligence."

National Stroke Week is celebrating F.A.S.T. heroes - the everyday Australians who know and can recognise the most common signs of stroke F.A.S.T.

Anyone can be a F.A.S.T hero by learning the F.A.S.T test and asking these questions if they suspect a stroke:

Why should you care?

One in four people globally will have a stroke in their lifetime and more than 475,000 Australians are living with the impact of stroke.

Too many people are delaying hospital presentation during COVID-19, putting their lives at risk.

Stroke Foundation NSW state manager Rhian Paton-Kelly says the more F.A.S.T. Heroes we had across the state the better.

"Stroke can happen to anyone, anywhere and at any time," Ms Paton-Kelly said.

"Anyone who can remember the F.A.S.T acronym can be a hero.

"Please learn it and help us by sharing it with your family, friends and colleagues. It could save a life."

A recent survey has revealed just 43 percent of people in NSW were able to recognise all three signs of stroke when prompted.

Ms Paton-Kelly said learning and sharing the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke message was as important as ever during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We know fewer people have been presenting to hospital at the first sign of stroke because they are fearful of contracting coronavirus or over-burdening our doctors and nurses," Ms Paton-Kelly said.

"The reality is stroke does not stop for COVID-19, essential services are still running in our hospitals and every precaution is being taken to protect patients and their families."

For more information contact Stroke Recovery Association NSW.

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