Stroke Clinicians - Stroke Survivors - Lived Experience. A Glorious Trifecta

As the 2025 Spring Racing Carnival nears its zenith, my headline feels like a fitting and timely way to introduce the theme of today’s message. For those who might not be aware, the Melbourne Cup, famously called "the race that stops a nation," is just over a week away.

Meanwhile, last weekend in Sydney, the Everest, the world’s richest horse race, has already been run and won, as they say in racing terms.

I digress—after experiencing a stroke in 2016, I came to recognize three elements that I regard as an equally important trifecta! Stroke Clinicians - Stroke Survivors - Lived Experience.

To borrow a racing term let’s look at the Starters and Riders!

Stroke Clinicians - I am now aware of the 00’s, no 000’s of clinicians who are engaged in research and study worldwide, all with the same objective - to create through their collective efforts, energy, and an infinite thirst for knowledge to create a stroke free world. Respect to each and every one, I declare.

Stroke survivors—Thousands of people from all ages, socio-economic backgrounds, and ethnic groups—are directly impacted by stroke each year in Australia.

These survivors, an apt term, face numerous challenges in their rehabilitation. Yet, with their stoic resilience and the support of skilled carers and clinicians, they embark on what often becomes a lifelong rehabilitation journey.

While these survivors embark on their deeply personal and individual journeys, they can, and often do, play an important—no, a VITAL—role in stroke research.

Lived Experience - They can share through their Lived Experience - the third and essential element that I've described in other musings as the “knowledge plum on the research cake.”

And that my Fellow Thrill Seekers and Time Traveler's is The Glorious Trifecta. My Thought for Today.

My Key Messages

Stroke Survivors - As a fellow stroke survivor, I strongly encourage you to get involved. It is a deeply rewarding experience and an integral part of my "Giving Back" strategy. Your knowledge and insights will be appreciated, respected, and highly valued.

Simply Click on this link on the Stroke Foundation's Web Page and you will see a list of research projects seeking the wisdom of your Lived Experience

Stroke clinicians - When and where appropriate, engage with your Stroke Survivors to discuss the potential benefits they can offer to researchers and clinicians in advancing stroke-related studies and medical practices.

Brian A Beh - A Stroke Survivor.