Second Stroke Club to start in Chch

Press, 22 February 1982, Page 7

Second Stroke Club to start in Chch

Stroke victims who are interested in meeting their fellow sufferers are being invited to attend the opening of a new Stroke Club in Linwood on Thursday afternoon.

A Bishopdale Stroke Ciub has been going for some time now, and has been such a success that it has been decided to start another one on the other side of the city, according to Mrs Joan Davidson, director of the Aids and Information Centre for the Handicapped. The second Stroke Club will open at 148 England

Street. The guest speakers will be Dr Tony Endicott and Dr Graham Riley, who have had much experience with stroke victims. The Bishopdale club has about 40 members, including some relatives of stroke victims. "One of the benefits of the meetings is that stroke victims have a chance of meeting others who perhaps have found a way around their problem and who are prepared to share their experience, as well as join in on new ventures,” Mrs Davidson said. The emphasis during the monthly afternoon meetings was on communication and social activities. Educational aspects were given less emphasis. “The members of the club suggest what they want at the meetings, whether they want a speaker, or a social event, or whatever. Sometimes they visit each other and get to know each other better in between meetings,” she said. ... . ” . The club members generally were aged between 40 and 75 and all had suffered from at least one stroke, she said. A stroke occurs when blocked blood vessels cut off supplies to the brain. Various parts of the body are then impaired or paralysed, depending on what part of the brain had been affected. “For some, mobility is impaired, which means that they can only get around in a wheelchair or if a relative is there to help,” she said. “Their life suddenly becomes full of limitations.”

Mrs Davidson said that often when people left hospital after a stroke they found it took time to adjust to home life. Depression and frustration jvere common feelings for the stroke victim and the people around him. “Many people who have had a stroke still lead a full life, driving themselves round in adapted cars, contacting people around the world through amateur radio, or taking part in sports such as bowls, swimming, riding, or ski-ing.” she said. Stroke Club meetings made victims more aware of the avenues of help open to them, Mrs Davidson said. Anyone wishing to attend the meeting or to know anything further about the club should get in touch with Mrs Diana Jackson, telephone 66189, Christchurch.