What most viewers don't know about LA meteorologist Bri Winkler

Brynn Mannino
Updated
Young Meteorologist Reveals She Had A Stroke
Young Meteorologist Reveals She Had A Stroke



KABC meteorologist Bri Winkler is now sharing a story many of her Los Angeles viewers didn't know about. Two years ago, she had a stroke at just 24 years old.

She tells ABC, "First I lost the hearing out of my right ear ... The numbness spread to my face, then down to my arm and my leg. And then when I went to stand I realized I couldn't, so I had to get on the floor, so then I had to get on the floor and crawl."

That morning in September 2012, Winkler made it to the phone and called her sister, Tara Riggs.

Riggs thought it was low blood sugar at first, but then realized it was serious and called a family friend in southern California, who then called 911.

Doctors say strokes are unusual in young people, but they do happen. In Bri's case, doctors found a blood clot in her brain.

Winkler says she views the stroke as "such a positive thing in [her] life ... I do appreciate everything a lot."

Now, Winkler wants to spread the message that strokes can happen to people at any age, so she wants others to know the warning signs.

According to the Mayo Clinic, you should look out for:

  • Trouble walking, talking or understanding speech

  • Numbness in the face, arm or leg

  • Facial drooping

  • Difficulty seeing

  • Headache

And you might recall that actor Frankie Muniz, famous for the "Malcolm in the Middle" series, was also in his twenties when he had a mini-stroke.

He was only 26 at the time. He also had another mini-stroke a year later. He has reportedly been doing fine since then.

As for Winkler, her stroke was caused by a tear in a key blood vessel. A blood clot formed in her brain stem.

Winkler believes there's a reason she's still here today, and part of that is spreading her story.

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