Three-Time Stroke Survivor Shares Story During National Stroke Awareness Month to Encourage Early Action

5/21/2026

In recognition of National Stroke Awareness Month this May, Olivia Quintava, a three-time stroke survivor, is sharing her personal recovery journey to raise awareness about the warning signs of stroke, the dangers of unmanaged stress, and the importance of seeking emergency medical care immediately.

When Quintava had her first stroke in 2023 while at work, she was displaying signs of a stroke - arm weakness, blurred vision and slurred speech. She had all the classic signs of stroke and asked a customer to call 9-1-1 for her. But when she recently suffered another stroke on April 23, her symptoms were different.

While working as a caregiver for an 86 year old patient, Quintava said she started to have double vision and would’ve brushed it off if she hadn’t read up on the atypical signs of stroke. Not long after her vision changed, Quintava started having arm and leg weakness. Soon after, her speech began to slur.

“Thankfully my patient’s husband was home at the time and I told him to call 9-1-1, I knew I was having another stroke,” Quintava said.

At 10:23 a.m., paramedics brought Quintava into DeTar Hospital Navarro’s Emergency Room and staff jumped into action. She credits the swift action and due diligence of DeTar’s ER team and ICU staff for saving her life.

“They didn’t waste a single moment, they just leapt right into action,” Quintava said.

Because Quintava recognized the symptoms quickly and sought emergency care, doctors at DeTar Hospital Navarro were able to begin treatment within the critical timeframe for stroke intervention — a key message healthcare providers at DeTar Healthcare System emphasize during National Stroke Awareness Month.

“Time is critical when it comes to stroke,” Karen Evans, RN, Stroke and Chest Pain Coordinator at DeTar Healthcare System said. “When patients recognize symptoms and call 9-1-1 immediately, it gives them the best possible chance for timely treatment and recovery.” Evans emphasized that stroke care is a coordinated emergency response. “Driving yourself or a loved one to the hospital can cost valuable minutes. Calling 9-1-1 activates the system of care before the patient even arrives, which can make a life-changing difference,” Evans said.

“Every second matters during a stroke emergency,” Donna Tompkins, ER Director at DeTar Healthcare System, said. “Our emergency department teams are trained to recognize stroke symptoms quickly and begin life-saving treatment as fast as possible. Seeing patients like Olivia recover and regain their independence is exactly why rapid response and coordinated stroke care are so important.”

Stroke remains a leading cause of serious long-term disability, and health experts encourage the public to learn the warning signs using the acronym F.A.S.T.:

Face drooping
Arm weakness
Speech difficulty
Time to call 911

After surviving her first stroke, Quintava made it a priority to educate herself about stroke symptoms and warning signs. Doctors later confirmed she had also suffered a second small stroke sometime after the first incident, though she did not recognize it at the time.

At the time of her third stroke, Quintava was balancing the demands of working full-time as a caregiver while attending school to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). She believes the stroke was caused in part by stress she was struggling to manage.

“I’ve always been fiercely independent and a go-getter,” Quintava said. “I kept pushing myself to work and go to school, but I wasn’t handling the stress the way I should have.”

Following her first stroke in 2023, Quintava created a list of goals she wanted to accomplish as motivation during recovery. Since then, she has returned to school to become a CNA. Now, after her third stroke, she is determined to continue working toward completing the rest of her goals.

Throughout her recovery, Quintava has focused on rehabilitation, regaining strength and mobility, and maintaining a positive mindset. She is working every day to regain her strength and independence so she can return to enjoying life instead of sitting on the sidelines.

Quintava says regaining strength in her arms and hands has been one of her biggest milestones. With the help of Erika Santillan, PTA, she was recently able to close her hand again — a moment she described as a major accomplishment in her recovery.

“In my vocabulary, ‘can’t’ doesn’t exist,” Quintava said. “There’s hiccups, but those go away.”

She expressed deep gratitude for the nurses, inpatient rehabilitation staff, therapists, and caregivers throughout DeTar Healthcare System who supported her through every stage of recovery.

Quintava especially thanked the ICU staff at DeTar Hospital Navarro whose quick action helped save her life, as well as her physical therapists, Chelsea Harkreader, PT, DPT and Tanisha Jones, PTA, for going above and beyond during her recovery journey.

“They reminded me I’m not doing this alone,” Quintava said. “They laughed with me, prayed with me, talked with me, and helped me regain my independence.”

She also shared a heartfelt message for the emergency room nurses who cared for her during her stroke emergencies.

“Saving a person is a lot — that’s no small feat,” Quintava said. “Thank you.”

Despite the challenges of rehabilitation, Quintava says the encouragement and positivity from the staff have helped her stay motivated throughout recovery.

“Recovery isn’t easy, but somehow they make this journey fun,” Quintava said. “The staff here make you forget you even had a stroke sometimes. They make you want to get better.”

Quintava also hopes her experience will encourage people of all ages to learn the warning signs of stroke before a medical emergency happens.

“You hear about stroke symptoms and the acronyms, and you hear other people’s stories, but until it happens to you, learning those things doesn’t always feel like a priority,” Quintava said. “It needs to be. Read up on it. It can happen to anyone, no matter your age.”

Now, during National Stroke Awareness Month, Quintava hopes her story will encourage others to recognize symptoms early, seek immediate care, prioritize stress management, and never give up during recovery.

“Learn the signs and don’t ignore them,” Quintava urged. “Getting help quickly can save your life.”

Today, Quintava continues pursuing her goals in healthcare while using her experience to educate and inspire others facing medical challenges.

To learn more about DeTar’s stroke care, please visit detar.com/stroke-care.

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