Who?
The first time I heard it, I could not believe it. A few month ago someone mentioned it casually. This seemed hardly fair. Maybe even an insult. But definitely not right.
At first I found that hard to believe, and said: ”No, that can’t be”. Then I googled it, and there was the proof. Of course, not all of them do it, but quite a few do.
I’m talking about Stroke Conferences. More precisely about the exclusion of the very people they talk about – Stroke Survivors.
No matter where they are in the world, it seems they do not want Stroke Survivors attending.
The registration forms often have special provisions for MD, PhD, Professional, Industry, Nurses, Paramedics, Technician, Student/Trainee, Junior and Senior Delegates, ESO or WSO Members, Young Scientists, Allied Health Professionals.
Sadly, there is no mention of Stroke Survivors. It gives the impression that these talk-fests are more about exclusion, than information exchange.
Hello???
We are talking about stroke conferences! Shouldn’t there be a provision for Stroke Survivors?
Probably they wouldn’t “look right” on the palm lined beaches, the mountain resorts, or any other of the exotic destinations, and they could not afford to get there. “They wouldn’t understand the presented topics anyway”,…and then there is the money – you know what I mean”.
Over the previous years I have met several Survivors who had been Health Professionals before their Stroke. Ironically many had worked with Stroke Survivors. There were SPLs who had patients with Aphasia, PTs who worked on a person’s gait, GPs controlling the hypertension of a patient. All these people shared an interest in stroke. Another thing they had in common was a changed financial situation, which meant they could not afford to go to conferences any longer.
Quite frankly, I find it disgusting!
While the “experts” do their shoulder rubbing, the reason for these conferences sits at home, knowing that people talk about them behind their back.
Do you want to be the person who talks about people behind their back?