"Life After Stroke" Launched 2011 - Help Make It Better.

Gary Gray - Stroke Survivor since 2002

Just a quick note to let you know about ; - SOMETHING SPECIAL!

You know stroke is all about awareness, education and prevention. (or at least that has been mostly the case in the past)

While awareness, education and prevention are of utmost importance (even for secondary stroke prevention) there is a need that has been largely ignored in the past.- Stroke Survivor Support!

A few years ago (Nov 2007)  I met a researcher from a university in Montreal at a stroke workshop in Charlottetown. Her name was Dr. Nancy Mayo and her focus was on finding ways to support stroke survivors to get the most out of life. She gave a presentation titled "Getting On With The Rest Of Your Life After Stroke". (45 minute video on the community based stroke support program)

Charlotte Comrie, Dr. Nancy Mayo and Gary Gray (2007)

In her presentation she talked about a research project that was about to be rolled out in a number of communities in Canada. As part of the project there was a booklet published also titled "Getting On With The Rest Of YourYour Life After Stroke". It talked about acceptance, attitude, setting goals, getting involved and generally building a NEW life after stroke.

Can You Help?

It is interesting and sad to see in the above video just how technology challenged our health system is.Unfortunately when it comes to long term support for stroke survivors it is just as challenged. We must be grateful for The Canadian Stroke Network and their support to Dr. Mayo in conducting her research which shows the need for project based stroke support in communities throughout the country. It is a painfully slow process to engage minds and resources within communities, to adjust attitudes and build the kind of support network needed to give a reasonable level of community project based meaningful activity to stroke survivors everywhere...editors note (Gary)

Last year a stroke survivor posted a comment on this blog asking why everything was geared to awareness and prevention and asked why the focus was not on support for survivors. That got me to thinking and I just couldn't get that question out of my mind.  So,  I created a Facebook page and a blog. and called them "My Life After Stroke"  These sites were designed to support us as survivors by providing a place to meet other survivors and tell our stories, discuss questions that are important to us, share photos, pages, groups, videos, books and blogs taken and written by us and post research information about stroke recovery that may be helpful to us. So far there are 152 fans following the "My Life" page.THANK YOU EVERYONE!

In late September 2011 "The Canadian Stroke Network"  launched a new website designed to provide support for survivors and help us and our families rebuild our lives based on the original Dr. Nancy Mayo model of "Getting On With The Rest Of Your Life After Stroke"

The Website is www.lifeafterstroke.ca and it can be a huge step forward to supporting us in our recoveries..

I encourage you as a stroke survivor, caregiver, family member or healthcare professional to PLEASE:  FIRST: Go to the new site and take a look around. SECOND: Click on the contact link and tell the people at the CSNW what could be changed and/or added to improve the site to make it a place of support for US.


Gary Gray
Stroke survivor since 2002

Make Death Wait!

A NEW public awareness campaign launched by Heart and Stroke Canada.

Make Death Wait...Women!

Make Death Wait... Men!

Yes it's dramatic because it needs to be  to get our attention.

Pass this on to your family and your friends.

THANKS!  "The more that we share means the more that we care"


Gary


Stroke survivor since 2002


I'm not the fastest turtle on the beach

Touched by stroke? Join our conversation at www.facebook.com/mylifeafterstroke

Brain Attack 101!!!

Brain Attack, A Stroke Survival Guide...


Learn three important points about Stroke.


1. Stroke is the third leading cause of death after Heart Attack and Cancer. Stroke is the leading cause of long term disability.


2 Stroke can happen to anyone of any age anywhere and at anytime. Learn the signs of stroke.


3. Prevention of stroke and recovery from stroke is possible. Watch the video and visit the website www.stroke.org to learn more.


If you would like to share your story, you can. www.stroke.org/faces  


Gary 


Stroke Survivor since 2002


Not the fastest turtle on the beach :p

PEI Organized Stroke Care Model Progress Report

The Question?


Improved infrastructure, staffing, training, programs and more will take some 4 years to put in place to improve stroke care in Prince Edward Island. True or False?

The Model!

Organized Stroke Care Model

"About Organized Stroke Care Model
Organized Stroke Care promotes a coordinated approach to early detection and assessment of warning signs of stroke, and timely access to appropriate treatments and specialized health care providers. "

So, What does the progress report look like?

Progress of the Organized Stroke Care Model for Prince Edward Island is moving along nicely.

This model that was announced in the April 2009 Provincial budget to be put in place between 2009 and 2013 is progressing along and meeting the time lines that has been set out for it.

A common myth is that the stroke unit located at the QEH in Charlottetown was the only component of the plan to improve stroke care on Prince Edward Island.

The fact is that there are a number of components that were announced in the 2009 budget under the banner "Organized Stroke Care Model" that would in fact take four years to bring into being.

Read the full report here. 


For comparison purposes here is the information paper that I published in cooperation with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of PEI. just prior to the release of the 2009 provincial budget.


Acute Stroke Unit PEI pdf


Gary Gray
Stroke Survivor since 2002


p.s. A special thank you to everyone who has helped to bring about the amazing accomplishments involved with this program and those who continue to work hard to make sure that it will be fully in place by the end of 2013.


On behalf of the entire Prince Edward Island stroke community -  THANK YOU!!!

Stop My Stroke n Get A FREE Tee :D

Stroke is a Medical Emergency....Call 911

Great news!!!

This morning when I opened my mailbox I got a surprise... A FREE "Quick - Responder" Tee Shirt from the folks at www.stopmystroke.com

I challenge you to also learn the signs of stroke and you can at www.stopmystroke.com 

Once you know the signs of stroke you can take the quiz. By knowing the signs of stroke you too can answer the quiz questions correctly and qualify for your own FREE Tee.

Not only will you get a great tee but you will have something very valuable to carry with you for the remainder of your life. The KNOWLEDGE to stop stroke. You can save yourself......you can also save others.

How awesome is that?

Gary Gray
Stroke Survivor Since 2002 

"Living A Healthy Life" Spring 2011 Newsletter

The "Living A Healthy Life" program has released it's Spring 2011 newsletter and we are giving you a link to read, download and/or print it out.  Enjoy!

The uploaded file is in "Google Docs" in PDF format so if you have trouble with accessing the file please let me know. My e mail is garydotgray@gmail.com

Here is the link:  https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B6aiexyJGOgWMTdmZDQ2MzgtNjdjMy00Yjg3LTg2ODMtOGI4M2E0NWQ2NWQ1&hl=en_US

or, to make it easy, you can CLICK HERE to get the newsletter. It is also online at: http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/DHW_LHL_Newslet.pdf

You can also visit the PEI HEALTHY LIVING WEBSITE 


Thanks for visiting... Simply click the "Join this site" button (up and to the Right) to be notified of new posts on this blog.

Wishing all stroke survivors the very best with your recovery and beyond!

Gary 
Stroke Survivor since 2011

Jennifer Drawdy Shares Her Stroke Testimonial

Did Jennifer notice that a stroke was about to happen to her?

No, it was early in the morning. She had been reading in bed and had made herself a cup of coffee. She had just got up to let her dogs go pottie and was  getting another cup of coffee and going back to her reading.

The lesson here is that Stroke CAN strike ANYWHERE and at ANY TIME.

How many stroke signs did you notice?

1 Numbness on the Left side of her body
2 Paralysis to the point of collapse and unable to get up.
3, One side of her face drooping.
4, Passing out.

Did she know what was wrong?


No, She didn't recognize the signs of stroke.

Did she call 911?


No, she called friends and family.

Would you know what to do?

Would you call 911?

Learn the SIGNS OF STROKE and if you or someone near you is showing any of the signs, CALL 911

STROKE is a  MEDICAL EMERGENCY.(knowing this basic information could save the life of you or someone you love)

5 warning signs of stroke 

If you or someone near you experience
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Numbness, weakness of face or limbs.
- Bad Headaches
- Difficulty walking, loss of balance
- Difficulty speaking or understanding speech - Call 911!!!

Stroke is a medical emergency...