Meet the Achievers of Stroke Week 2023.
Stroke Researchers – Clinicians – Stroke Survivors A Powerful Trifecta –Fighting Stroke Together!
That's right Fellow Time Travellers and Thrill Seekers Stroke Week 2023 is almost here and this year the theme is “Fighting Stroke Together”
As stated by the Stroke Foundation “Fighting Stroke Together” aims to bring people together to share knowledge, support, and resources to help prevent strokes from occurring and to aid in the recovery process for those who have experienced a stroke.
The objective of today’s epistle, which is dedicated to Stroke Week 2023, is to reflect on those heroes who through their singular and collective actions bring this theme to a clinical and rehabilitation reality. Along the way I will mention some heroes who I have met and who have had an influence on my Post Stroke Days.
Hence my headline today which includes the term “Trifecta”, a term that is generally refers to equine related pursuits, but in this case, it is [to me anyway] a very apt way of describing the relationship between researchers, clinicians, and stroke survivors.
Gang, allow me to expand on the relevance of these groups and their contribution to Fighting Stroke Together -
Researchers
Since my involvement in the Stroke Industry, I have become aware of the tremendous amount of research that is currently being undertaken by various groups, universities, and individuals. To me, as a newcomer, I found the sheer volume and commitment of these groups absolutely breathtaking.
I would like to thank the following people who welcomed me as a Consumer into their various research projects. People like Professor Coralie English from Newcastle University, the leader of the I-REBOUND gang, which also included Karly Zacharia, Gillian Mason, Dr.Dawn Simpson and Dina Pogrebnoy. The level of collaboration among the Trifecta partners in the I-REBOUND project was equal to or surpassed some of the massive projects I was responsible for in my corporate life. Other names that come to mind that I have worked with include(in part) Professor Catherine Said, Professor Marie Hackett, and Natali Fini.
StrokeEd
.
It would be erroneous for me not to mention the Stroke collaborative StrokeEd, in particular, Doctor Simone Dorsch whom I met during my 4-month sojourn in Bankstown Hospital.
It was she who invited me to speak to her students at the Australian Catholic University, North Sydney on my Stroke story -- My very first public appearance as a Stroke Survivor. This was my steppingstone into what has become an almost full-time role- but more about that later.
Dr. Simone Dorsch, a noted Stroke Educator (Senior Lecturer, Australian Catholic University) and a Director of StrokeEd,a Stroke Rehabilitation education collaborative. All members of the StrokeEd Collaboration are all highly credentialled educators, researchers and practising clinicians who conduct evidence-based workshops; lectures to improve the skills, knowledge, and practice of rehabilitation therapists, and influence the delivery of rehabilitation services to stroke survivors.
These activities reach far beyond Australia and this chart gives an overview of their activities.
There are many other researchers and educators that I have met and worked with over the past seven years to whom I express my gratitude. I am very public in my respect, and admiration for all the researchers and educators that I have been associated with.
Clinicians.
The second link in the Trifecta are the Clinicians the Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Dietitians, Speech Therapists who with their expertise and curative skills assist Stroke Survivors in hospital Rehab Gyms, Outpatients Departments, and private practice.
They are the people who can bring to life the latest research findings in the form of meaningful and relevant rehab strategies to aid Stroke Survivors in their recovery.
The ones that come to my mind who were involved with putting me back together again are names such as Laura King, Julie Nugent, Fin Low[on my right] all from Bankstown Hospital who were with me from the start of my rehab in April,2016.
Their names cross my mind every day.
Stroke Survivors
The final link in the Trifecta chain is Stroke Survivors, people who have been beset by the ravages of Stroke but who have refused to accept the deficiencies of their stroke and through their grit, inner courage overcome these challenges.
Each of them has displayed a level of courage and resilience that quite frankly astounds me, and I am proud to call them my friends.
Names that come to mind are Julie Davey, Ben Schelfhaut (AKA Belgian Benny) Rachel Peak, Kevin English, Meredith Burke - they are true heroes.
They are ardent practitioners of the concept of Giving Back- via their involvement in research projects, webinars, talks, and workshops they willingly share their insights and learnings with researchers, clinicians so the findings are real and borne out of Lived Experience.
As I said in a conversation with an academic from the University of East Anglia (UK)recently,
"Researchers can only SURMISE what a Stroke feels like. Stroke Survivors can CEMENT that supposition."
This is a lengthy epistle, but it had to be- The union of these three stakeholders is a demonstration of the intricate relationship that exists in the Stroke industry today. Each group has a vital role in a stand-alone sense in fighting the scourge of Stroke in the 21st century. Century. But to be successful they must be linked to each other to achieve this end.
Gang I hope you understand my logic and reasoning and ask that you continue to maintain your efforts to fight Stroke.
I know T intend to.!!!
There is music in our Soul.Take time to listen to your Band.I do.Every Day. An Keep Fighting SrMy
Key Messages.
Stroke Survivors - Get involved in Fighting Stroke. Offer your Lived Experience to Researchers. Click on Research Opportunities to see what research projects are seeking Stroke Survivors.
Stroke Survivors, Clinicians – Promote Stroke Week 2023-Click on a wide range of Promotional material, produced by the Stroke Foundation which you can use.
Brian A Beh, Stroke Survivor, Advocate, Investigator,
Lived Experience Researcher,
Life Member of the Hopalong Cassidy Fan Club,
Poet, Philosopher and Child of the Cosmos,
Winner "Improving Life After Stroke" Category
Stroke Foundation of Australia 2021 National Awards.
&
Inaugural Chair, Consumer & Community Group,