Join the Stroke Advocacy team

Hi everyone, I haven't blogged for a while but in the lead up to the Queensland elections, the Stroke Foundation are encouraging us all to write to our local MP's and share our personal experiences, in an effort for them to help support the Stroke Foundation campaigns.

Prior to Stroke Week, in September 2017, I wrote to two local MP's. As a result, my local MP Mark McArdle invited me for a meeting, which was very informal. He had read my letter and my own story with interest and wanted to help.

During Stroke Week, we conducted a TV interview along our local beach front which was aired on national TV that same evening, and we kick started stroke week in our area. We aired about being a Young Stroke Survivor and how it impacts our daily life. He also shared the FAST message on his Facebook wall and in further interviews he discussed that change is needed.

Also, I visited Andrew Wallace, Federal MP for Fisher who posted about me and our visit during stroke week and also shared the FAST message. Andrew Wallace had an idea that instead of sending tear-off calendars with his Christmas Cards this year, he would substitute this for the FAST message, which would reach thousands of households in his constituency.

You do not have to be dynamic, superman or woman to do this, you could just make a difference by simply writing a letter.

I have attached a letter I wrote which got their attention, but it doesn't need to be long.(I have screen shot it, but happy to send anyone an email copy if required) Any of the Advocacy team at the Stroke Foundation will assist you, they will send you relevant information and advise you at every step.

In addition to being a Stroke Safe Ambassador, I love being a Stroke advocate and know that as another voice for the Stroke Foundation, I am at last being heard. The feeling of uselessness post stroke and not being able to find my way has totally changed and feel I now have a purpose and I can be that change. YOU can make a difference too.

If you would like to be a stroke advocate and a little more pro active, comment on this post. We all need to fight stroke together and be the voices of stroke survivors, stroke carers and anyone connected to stroke.

Thanks for reading.

Shelagh