KEEPING your heart healthy, is a topic well explored in everyday life. Indeed our hearts are so important they even feature in common metaphors, ‘home is where the heart is’ or having a ‘heart of gold’ or even loving someone with ‘all you heart’.
Within this narrative, one has to acknowledge the risk of a stroke. According to the World Health Organization, 15-million people suffer a stroke worldwide each year. Of these, 5 million are affected in terms of their abilities which include speech, movement and memory.
This is where the value of community based stroke support groups is needed, thankfully almost all stroke survivors recover to some extent and go on to lead normal, meaningful lives. The support from those around you is crucial in helping you make the best possible recovery.
Two locals who can attest to this are occupational therapists (OT), Wendy Young and Vicki Precious, who run a monthly stroke support group in uMhlanga at the Medigate Centre.
Wendy who worked in Hawaii a few years ago said she saw the impact of the stroke support groups on the island. “It was always something I felt that was lacking in the North Durban area. I was also treating a young patient in her 30’s who had suffered a stroke and I felt she needed to speak to others who’d gone through the same thing. This support group is the only one in the North Durban area.
“We started the group last year and we have three families who regularly attend, but I would love to see that number grow. It’s free and we have special guests in the medical profession who cover a range of topics,” Wendy said.
Fellow OT, Vicki, also highlighted the importance of support groups that can motivate stroke survivors and help create active new roles for themselves.
“Stroke creates many physical and emotional challenges. Each stroke survivor faces a unique set of disabilities and losses, and each copes with them in his or her own way. However, the warmth, acceptance and emotional support that a stroke support group offers can often be the key to uncovering the hidden strengths in many survivors and caregivers.
She added while everyone’s experience is different, meeting other stroke survivors or caregivers who understand what you are going through can help you throughout your recovery.
Wendy also said the support group plays a vital role for family members who are also part of the post-stroke recovery.
“Caring for stroke survivors at home can cause high levels of emotional and mental stress. In addition to distress, disruption of employment and family life makes caregiving very challenging. So as much as the monthly meetings benefit stroke survivors, it also helps families work through their challenges,” she said.
The next support group evening is on Thursday 30 January, from 6pm to 7.15pm at the M-Care, Medigate Road (across the road from uMhlanga Hospital). Contact Wendy or Vicki on 031 566 4239.
