FEATURE


UK's third biggest killer A


self help group for people who have


been affected by a stroke has set up in Eltham. Liz Drury reports.


The Greenwich Stroke Club meets at St Mary’s Community Centre every Wednesday for a fun and sociable session of chat, activities and moral support.


Group chair Bruce Edgar said:


“I was


very fit and healthy, went swimming, walking and cycled regularly and even occasionally played tennis.


Unfortunately


for me, there was no warning that I was about to have a stroke. My consultants weren’t able to tell me why it had happened.


It


could really happen to anyone.”


Bruce had his stroke in 2007 and helped to form the group, which previously met in Charlton.


FACIAL weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?


ARM weakness: Can the person raise both arms?


SPEECH problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?


TIME to call 999.


If a person fails any one of these tests, get help immediately by dialling 999


“Accessibility and transport was becoming a problem in Charlton for some of our members, so we moved to Eltham and had our first meeting a few weeks ago.


the committee any support it needs.


“This is friendly and up-lifting group for people who have either suffered and survived a stroke, or for those indirectly affected, like the carers of stroke sufferers”, saidBruce


What is a stroke? A stroke is a brain attack For your brain to function, it needs a constant blood supply, which provides vital nutrients and oxygen to the brain cells. A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off and brain cells are damaged or die.


Recognise stroke symptoms FAST


“I survived and with the support of doctors and, of course, the group I am slowly recovering. I’ve even been on a couple of foreign holida ys including to New Zealand which was wonderful.


Irene Bailey, 85, a new member of the group, agrees:


“I


had been in speech therapy after my


in 2008, and it can get very


stroke lonely


just being at home. This hopefully will give me the chance to socialise with


the other members of the group. “Lots of people who have suffered a This is


stroke feel abandoned and on their own when they leave hospital.


a valuable way of meeting others who understand what they’ve been through and have something in common with them.”


The group is self-funding and part of the Stroke Association whose London Regional Information officer, Ellen Sheridan has been with them from the beginning, to help the group and give


6


The group has about 20 members now and usually around 12 come to the meetings. Meetings range from quizzes to speakers and occasional outings to local cafes in Eltham. The group isn’t just those directly


SEnine


affected by strokes. Diana Legg whose 47 year old daughter suffered a stroke in August, joins the group even if her daughter can’t be there. She said the symptoms of a stroke aren’t always obvious.


“My daughter‘s speech and memory were affected but it took a little while to realise what the problem was. I come to this group now even though my daughter’s now getting back to work, as I want to support and help, but also learn more about the condition.”


Maria Rutherford, from Middle Park, had a stroke 11 years ago and has been with the group two years. She said: “Being at home I was not very happy, I would just sit and think about the stroke, but this group gets me out.”


The group can be contacted at bruce.edgar@btinternet.com or on Wednesdays at the St Mary’s from 10.30am to 12.30pm. or via Stroke Helpline on 0303 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk


MAY is step out for stroke month.


Step out for stroke this May and help make a real difference to the UK's third biggest killer.


The Stroke Association's Step out for stroke walks are sweeping across the UK and are bigger, better and taking place in even more great locations than before.


Why not organise a walk around Eltham to raise money for this cause.


More details can be found on the website www.stroke.org.uk


Report suspicious behaviour


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