Community support for stroke victims

“Young or old, thin or fat – it happens,” said Sandra Colombick, public relations officer to the non-governmental, non-profit organisation, which provides community support to stroke sufferers, their families and carers, through a range of vital services from physical therapy to counselling and advice.

Colombick herself attends the organisation’s weekly meetings at Paterson Park Recreation Centre, where stroke victims gather for cognitive work, physical therapy, group exercise and, perhaps most importantly, the opportunity to socialise comfortably. Transport to and from meetings is provided, along with refreshments, and sessions often feature a guest speaker and other entertainment. Similar sessions are held weekly at the Soweto Aged Home and the South Rand Hospital.

In this morning’s session, the few members not deterred by pouring rain have gathered in the Paterson Park hall, darkened by electricity outages. Dr Jennifer Watermeyer, a speech therapist and senior lecturer at Wits University, leads the group in reading and discussing a tongue-in-cheek article about ‘Generation Y yuppies’, today’s young professionals. The reading is accompanied by voluble comment from participants, who range in ages from 39 years upwards, and much laughter.

The social support and interaction that stroke survivors receive at such sessions creates an important sense of wellbeing and normality, according to Colombick, who explains that in addition to weekly sessions, the organisation runs workshops for audiologists and caregivers, and visits retirement homes to raise stroke awareness.

While the Stroke Aid Society receives essential support towards its running costs from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, it is also dependent on the generosity of the public for survival. As is often the case, transport is one of the heaviest costs, and the organisation hopes to raise funds for a bus to transport stroke victims to and from support sessions. With an end-of-year function rapidly approaching, Colombick is also searching for a donor to sponsor refreshments for all three Stroke Aid Society groups, who will gather on 9 December for a morning of festive entertainment.

Details: 0117282292; strokeaid@telkomsa.net; www.strokeaid.co.za

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