A Stroke of Change

Stroke can happen to anyone at any time. Just ask Fay V. Yunus. The entrepreneur tells her story to encourage others to make lifestyle changes before it’s too late

By Raajeish Taalver

Fay suffered a stroke at the age of 44. (Fay V. Yunus pic)

The day was like any ordinary one for Fay V. Yunus: one morning in 2012, as she was getting ready for work as head of sales of a travel agency, she felt a severe headache come on, and her head felt numb. She didn’t know it at the time, but Fay was having a stroke at a relatively young age of 44. “When I woke my daughter to take me to the clinic, she asked why my face had turned red,” Fay recalls. “I once worked as a hospital clerk, and although I couldn’t be sure, I knew something serious was up. “I tried not to panic because that would make it worse,” she adds. “At the clinic, my blood pressure reading was alarmingly high. I had thrown up and almost collapsed. The doctor insisted I be taken to the hospital immediately. I was partially paralysed, slurred and couldn’t walk.” The mother of six was relatively healthy and in good physical condition before the stroke. Still, she discovered she had underlying high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which contributed to the attack. Fay’s medical condition compelled her to make some drastic lifestyle changes. “I got rid of whatever was unhealthy from my kitchen and replaced them with healthier foods and ingredients. For example, I switched to more nutritious cooking oils and included a whole raw onion in my daily diet.” Although onions work better as prevention rather than cure, Fay claims the vegetable contributed to her quick recovery. “They’re not easy to eat raw, but you get used to them,” she laughs. Fay also learned to control work pressure and began exercising, including hiking regularly. As a result, she weened herself off medications six months after her stroke and says she has since completely recovered. Before her stroke, Fay had built a formidable career and later a business in the travel industry. The Philippines native moved to Sampoerna, Sabah, in the early 1980s after marrying a Sabahan. “I was born and grew up in Cagayan Valley in northeastern Luzon Island. After settling down in Sabah, I helped my husband in his businesses, including an import-export company and a travel agency. “I started my career at a time when we were still a long way from automation and computerisation. However, things have certainly come a long way since.”

Fay also serves as a vice-president with the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA).

The Next Chapter

Fay moved to Kuala Lumpur in 2000 after her 20-year marriage ended. “I moved to KL to start anew with my children. I had it easy in Sampoerna and needed to do many things on my own in KL, but I never gave up,” she notes. Fay worked with her KL contacts in the industry to start over. Before setting up Fay Holidays, her own travel agency, she gained sales and marketing experience in various segments, including timeshares and Islamic travel. In retrospect, she believes the pressures of her work contributed significantly to her stroke. “This is an enjoyable and lucrative business, but it’s incredibly competitive. “I worked at a frenetic pace to meet my sales and marketing targets. I was also depressed and was seeking treatment for sleeplessness. My stroke was a disaster just waiting to happen.” The entrepreneur’s reputation as a committed business partner has held her in good stead. “This business is not only about profit but your commitment and the relationships you cultivate. That has helped us survive tough times, including the pandemic,” Fay, who also serves as vice-president of research and training with the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA), says. “I encourage people to make changes now to reduce their risk for stroke and other major illnesses,” she advises. “Eat healthily and cut out the unhealthy. Exercise. You have to be an advocate for your health.” After her stroke, Fay says she re-evaluated her life. “Just enjoy life and take things easy. You can live a productive life after a stroke. You have the opportunity to write the next chapter of your life,” she adds.