Male EMT dismissed 41-year-old woman’s facial numbness as just 'anxiety' and told her to sleep— she drove to the ER and her worst fear was confirmed
Sudden changes in the body can be frightening, especially when a person cannot explain what is happening. When symptoms appear without warning, getting medical help can be important, even if someone looks fine on the outside. Content creator Keri Walsh highlighted this concern after sharing the experience of her 41-year-old best friend, whose facial pain and numbness were dismissed during a medical emergency. In an Instagram video posted on October 18, 2026, under the username @life.withkeri, she described what happened when her friend sought help and questioned why her concerns were not taken more seriously.
Keri's friend had just returned home from work and was lying in bed when she suddenly experienced intense facial pain, followed by numbness on the right side of her face and tongue. Alarmed by the symptoms, she called emergency services. However, the male EMT who arrived reportedly suggested that anxiety was causing the numbness, saying, "Your face and tongue are probably numb because you're anxious." He also told her it was okay to sleep. About 20 minutes later, she still felt something was wrong and decided to drive herself to the emergency room. Doctors confirmed that she had suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA), commonly called a mini-stroke. She spent the next three days in the hospital, where she underwent several tests.
Her hospital stay included an MRI, a CT scan, and an ultrasound of her heart as doctors examined what had happened. Keri explained that reaching the hospital sooner might have allowed doctors to obtain imaging closer to the onset of her symptoms, potentially giving them more information. She questioned how the emergency responder could dismiss such serious signs without further assessment. Women deserve to have their health concerns taken seriously, rather than having symptoms automatically attributed to anxiety or hormonal changes.
The content creator also compared the experience with her own history of panic attacks, saying she had never experienced facial or tongue numbness during one. She stressed that her friend knew something was wrong, explaining, "You always have to trust your gut and trust your instincts." Although Keri confirmed her friend was recovering and expected to be okay, the experience left her deeply concerned about how the emergency call was handled. She stressed that unusual symptoms should not be brushed aside simply because a person appears healthy or calm.
Sadly, gender discrimination can affect medical care too, as another similar incident showed. A woman had spent 20 years seeking answers for health problems, including vision issues, ringing in her ears, and sudden blackouts. Despite raising these concerns during regular checkups, doctors reportedly blamed her weight, tiredness, and busy life as a mother. Frustrated by the lack of answers, she asked her husband to accompany her to an appointment. When he questioned the doctor's response, the doctor finally asked, "What's been going on?" This led to further tests, an MRI, a diagnosis, and a treatment plan. Her experience made her realize that when a man communicated her concerns, the doctor then initiated further treatment.
For more interesting stories, follow @life.withkeri on her Instagram account.