When I was 20 years old I woke up from a nap unable to move or talk. My mind was still functioning, but I could not figure out what had happened to me. Why was I paralyzed? The next day, when I finally got to the emergency room, I found out that I had suffered a stroke. Twenty years and three children later, as I was picking my youngest son up from school, I started having excruciating chest pains. I drove to the emergency room, knowing and feeling that I was having a heart attack and that every second mattered.
I am blessed that neither my stroke nor my heart attack had significant long- term effects. The heart attack was a wake-up call to me about diet and exercise. I walk. Walk everywhere. Walk everyday. Power walk. I even walked three AHA-sponsored marathons!
I also talk to everyone I meet about the warning signs and what they can do to help themselves – namely walking. I want to thank each of you for all you do. Without the American Heart Association I may not be here today. Get INSPIRED to make a CHANGE in your life today!
Now you can create, find and track Walking Paths anytime, anywhere with the American Heart Association Walking Paths App for iPhone and Android. Use the apps and other free tools to get you started and keep you motivated.
Visit StartWalkingNow.org today!
You can save lives by supporting and participating in your local Start! Heart Walk, the American Heart Association's premier fund-raising event. Start! Heart Walk promotes physical activity and heart-healthy living in an environment that’s fun with family, friends or coworkers. Locate yours here.
