David Leonard of Hendersonville says the morning he had a stroke felt so normal that he brushed off the first warning signs. That delay, he now says, is exactly why he wants others to pay attention during Stroke Awareness Month.
“I didn’t even realize I was having a stroke,” Leonard said. He woke with numbness on his left side, something he blamed on diabetic neuropathy. When his balance suddenly failed, he still didn’t think of calling 911. “The only ‘what if’ I will play is: what if I’d called right away?”
A friend recognized the danger when Leonard called him later that morning. “Five seconds into the conversation, my friend said, ‘David, you need to hang up and call 911. I think you’re having a stroke. I can barely understand you.’”
Stroke specialists say stories like Leonard’s are common, as people at a younger age are experiencing strokes. Dr. Edgardo Diez, who treats patients at CarePartners Rehabilitation Hospital in Asheville, said he is seeing more patients in their forties and fifties. “We are seeing younger stroke patients, so creating awareness early is important,” Diez said. “High blood pressure is the biggest modifiable risk factor. When it goes untreated, the risk of stroke rises significantly.”
Other risk factors can include diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle — many of which can be managed with the help of a primary care provider. Understanding personal risk is an important step in prevention, but just as critical is recognizing when a stroke may be happening.
Leonard’s symptoms match the BE FAST acronym used nationwide to help people recognize a stroke: Balance loss, Eyesight changes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty and Time to call 911. These signs can appear suddenly and may be mild at first, which is why they are often dismissed or explained away, as Leonard initially did.
There is significant importance in calling 911 immediately if there’s even a possibility a person is having a stroke, as minutes count. The sooner you are treated, the better chance you have of not having any long-term effects or deficits. Certain treatments are only effective if given within a narrow window of time, making rapid action essential. “Time is brain,” Leonard said. “If you have any of those symptoms, call 911.”
CarePartners, a part of Mission Health and the region’s only inpatient rehabilitation hospital, has physical, occupational and speech therapists who specialize in stroke recovery. Leonard said that structure and expertise shaped his mindset from the moment he arrived. “I knew this was where I was going to learn to live life again,” he said. “So, when I got here, it was ‘go mode’.”
Rehabilitation plays a critical role in helping stroke survivors regain independence and rebuild their lives. Depending on the severity of the stroke, patients may need to relearn basic skills such as walking, speaking, swallowing, or performing everyday tasks. Early, consistent rehabilitation has been shown to significantly improve outcomes and quality of life.
Therapists said Leonard leaned into every part of the treatment plan. One described his work ethic as “second to none.” Leonard became known as “Mr. One More” for insisting on extra laps in physical therapy. Occupational therapy brought some of the most meaningful breakthroughs. “The dignity of taking a shower and just feeling clean, that’s a big deal,” he said.
CarePartners also offers free stroke support groups for survivors and caregivers. The Young Stroke Group for adults 64 and younger meets Mondays at 4:15 p.m. The Stroke Support Group for all survivors meets Wednesdays at 4:15 p.m. Both meet at CarePartners Rehabilitation Hospital, 68 Sweeten Creek Road in Asheville. These groups provide education, encouragement, and a sense of community for those navigating recovery.
Leonard hopes his story helps others recognize what he nearly missed. “The signs are real,” he said. “Drooping face, speech changes. It’s real.” He paused, then added the message he wishes he had understood that morning: “Don’t wait. Just call. It can save your life.”