This morning, for the third consecutive year.....

I had the privilege and pleasure of speaking with Second Year Physiotherapy students at Newcastle University.

Via the kind invitation of Doctor Dawn Simpson, Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy, The University of Newcastle, and Ms Katie Newton, Physiotherapy Industry Clinical Educator, School of Health Science, The University of Newcastle.

What did I Speak About?

The subject of my presentation was My Stroke Story which encompasses my Pre and Post Stroke Life; My Rehab Philosophy and Journey and My Learnings and Insights on my Stroke Rehab that I experienced during my four-month stay in Bankstown Hospital in 2016

As I draw on my corporate experience, one of the key points that I stress during my dissertation is the need for a quantifiable rehab program; developed in a collaborative environment with the Stroke Survivor together with family members, carers and/or any other people who have an important place in the survivor’s life

I regard this opportunity as a privilege, and I have been carrying out this activity for over 8 years.

it originally started as an invitation in 2016 from Associate Professor Simone Dorsch to speak to her Final Year physio students at the Australian Catholic University, North Sydney Campus. I have been doing this for 8 years.

Since that lecture 8 years ago, it has now grown to three universities annually and I estimate that with today's lecture I've spoken to more than 1600 students.

On each occasion I am humbled to say that the feedback and welcome that I have been given has been amazing and it is now a very satisfying activity in my Post Stroke life.

My Link with Newcastle ----I am a Valley boy.

I have an emotional link with Newcastle as I grew up on a dairy farm in Singleton, a short trip up the New England Highway- many a weekend during my youth I spent enjoying the surf and other hedonistic pleasures of Newcastle and its environs.

I also spoke about the perpetual nature of Stroke Rehab - I paraphrase it as “My long and Winding Road.

I made specific mention during my presentation to these future clinicians of the I-REBOUND Project which was/is a powerful example of the collaborative strength of Stroke Researchers, Stroke Clinicians, and Stroke Survivors.

My reason for mentioning this innovative “after-stroke resource” was the concept, design, and creation of I-REBOUND emanated from Newcastle University under the sage and strategic Leadership of Professor Coralie English. I also mentioned the contribution to the project by Doctors Karly Zacharia and Emily Ramage

How did I go?

The feedback from today's presentation from Dawn and Katie was truly amazing-

“The students loved it! Probably one of the most engaged sessions I have seen from them - so thank you!”

“I always love your presentations as they have such targeted key messages for the students and your lived experience is really powerful”

“They appreciated your sense of humour and the impact of what you experienced, and your therapy objectives and number of reps etc, really landed with them”

Once again, a truly satisfying, humbling experience which is an important part of my Giving Back Strategy.

Brian A Beh -A Stroke Survivor and A Proud Singleton Farm Boy.