Pacers All-Star Paul George has teamed up with the American Stroke Association to create a series of public service announcements pertaining to how to spot a stroke, and what to do when one occurs.
It's a subject matter that's close to PG's heart, since his mother, Paulette George, suffered a stroke when Paul was just six years old.
"I remember every moment of it," recalled George, "I was always there at the hospital visits, right by her bed. When she got a hospital bed in our home, I would lay in my bed next to her."
The PSA features PG dribbling around a court, blended with images of a six-year-old Paul George dribbling as well. George explains a simple acronym for how to spot and properly handle someone who may be experiencing a stroke — F.A.S.T.
(F)ace Drooping
(A)rm Weakness
(S)peech Difficulty
(T)ime to Call 911
"Treatment options are limited when people don't recognize a stroke and get to the appropriate hospital in time," said Mary Ann Bauman, M.D., American Stroke Association Advisory Committee chair.
Luckily for Paul's mother, after a lengthy period of rehab, she has regained almost all of her faculties, aside for some paralysis on the left side of her body. With May being American Stroke Month, PG has participated in the awareness campaign so others can avoid the ordeal that his family was forced to endure.
"I want to make sure that everyone knows the warning signs for a stroke," he said, "so they can quickly take action and give their loved ones the best chance for recovery."