Alive and kicking after stroke battle
A surprise off-field friendship has inspired an Adelaide teenager to get back on his feet.
A stroke left 17-year-old Gabriel Tullio without the use of his legs, but with the help of his footy hero he is out kicking goals once again.
The alarm bells sounded for Gabriel last year, when he first complained of an excrutiating headache.
He said: “I couldn't talk well, I was starting to feel numb, my left side was tingling.”
Gabriel had a five centimetre bleed on the right side of his brain and spent a week in a coma.
It was in hospital, that he met his favourite Adelaide Crows player, Rory Sloane.
Rory said: “I promised Gab that when he could get up and walk again that he'd be able to come out and have a kick with us.”
Now, a year later, Gabriel is finally well enough to take him up on his promise.
Gabriel said: “He's just been the biggest inspiration to me he's the most down to earth guy it's amazing.”
But the footy star says the 17-year old's recovery is the result of his own hard work - and his parents also played a crucial role.
His mother says knowing first aid and the signs someone's having a stroke saved gab's life.
Fast test, or F-A-S-T, is an easy way to remember the most common signs of stroke.
Face - Check their face. has their mouth drooped?
Arm - Can they lift both arms?
Speech - Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
And Time - Is critical. Act fast.
If you experience any of these signs, call triple zero straight away.
