While the light still burns

The brain is the quietest workaholic in the body. The most delicate organ.
It doesn’t complain. It never takes sick leave.
It sits in the dark, tucked inside its bony helmet, keeping your whole circus running.
It remembers everything. And it cannot warn you.

And we tell it: more coffee. One more night. More salt. Later.
And then it quietly goes dark. Without a sound.
As if the light in one window suddenly goes out.

And then—a word won’t come, an arm won’t respond, the world tilts sideways.
A stroke doesn’t knock. It steals your time, your speech, your ability to move.
Sometimes, in a matter of seconds.

Act fast. Check the face. Listen for slurred speech. Check for arm weakness.
Don’t wait. Don’t put them to bed. Call an ambulance. Stay by their side.

As long as we can recognize the signs, call for help, and offer support, hope still has a pulse.


Emergency memo

Be Fast

B — Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination?

E — Eyes: Sudden vision loss, blurred vision, or double vision?

F — Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A — Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S — Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Is their speech slurred or unusual?

T — Time: Don’t wait. Call emergency services immediately.

Other possible signs: sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side; sudden confusion; sudden severe headache with no known cause.

One symptom is enough to call emergency services immediately.

Azerbaijan: 103 for an ambulance; 112 for emergency assistance.
Tell the dispatcher, “I suspect a stroke.” Give the exact location and the time the symptoms first appeared.

Do not give the person anything to eat or drink, or any medication. Do not leave them alone.

Even if the symptoms disappear, urgent medical evaluation is still necessary.