Stroke Survivors - Your “Lived Experience” – Stroke Research. A Golden Trifecta

Fellow Stroke Survivors, you may not be aware, but you possess a valuable commodity called “Lived Experience’ and it is desired by Stroke Researchers to help them reduce the scourge of Stroke from our lives.

Only Stroke Survivors possess Lived Experience which entails[in part] - having an actual Stroke; then facing the challenges and deficiencies that remain behind.

You and you alone understand and have to confront the difficulties/challenges of Stroke Rehab, and the realization that \{in many cases\} rehab will become an integral part of your life.

Stroke Survivors can assist researchers with all of these aspects via the sharing of your Lived Experience – so please consider getting involved in the numerous research projects that are being considered and undertaken by Stroke Researchers.

You are Wanted!

The Stroke Foundation has detailed in its EnableMe newsletter a list of Research Projects that are currently seeking Stroke Survivors – please click on the link, read, and consider signing up.

I wrote a Tweet"A Golden Trifecta"...which has been well received. Hope you enjoy

Researchers will welcome with open arms; your experiences will be valued and respected. You will meet and get to know some truly amazing, generous, and dedicated people, whilst deriving a sense of satisfaction that will truly surprise you.

It did me!

Allow me to be anecdotal for a moment.

I am 7 years post stroke [a significant Left Lacunar Stroke in 2016] and have been involved in research projects for over 6 years-the most recent being the I-REBOUND project-a web based “After Stroke” Resource, which was co-designed by a group of Stroke Survivors.

I-REBOUND – the Everest example of Collaboration.

Professor Coralie English from the University of Newcastle, who provided sage and strategic leadership to I-REBOUND’s Project Team outlines I-REBOUND’s objectives and the role played by a group of Stroke Survivors.

I-REBOUND a web -based ‘After Stroke’ resource is, in my opinion a “rolled gold” example of collaboration between Stroke Researchers, Stroke Clinicians and Stroke Survivors.

Currently I am involved in no fewer than 6 research projects, one is a collaboration with a UK based university, another involves the use of Artificial Intelligence \{AI\}, and another exploring the development of a web-based tool for dementia sufferers.

I consider these activities part of my “Giving Back” strategy, repaying those clinicians who, 7 years ago put me back together again. One doctor at Bankstown described me on arrival in the ED as “a f@#g” mess

I have achieved many highlights in my corporate career,2 of which I am said to be the only person in Australia to have achieved and am also considered a pioneer of Change Management in corporate Australia [ other people’s words].

But the satisfaction that I glean from my involvement with these Stroke Research activities over the past 6 years surpasses the personal value of those 2 corporate highlights.

Last year I wrote a blog, The Power of Lived Experience which detailed an event which illustrated the power of me sharing my Lived experience with student Stroke Clinicians at the Australian Catholic University, North Sydney Campus.

Enough of me navel gazing!.............Back to the matter at hand.

I am passionate about utilising my “Lived Experience’ to in whatever way to improve the treatment of Stroke in Australia.

And I want you to join me on that path.

My Key Messages

Stroke Survivors - I ask YOU to get involved. Sign up and experience a level of satisfaction that will amaze you plus assist in the reduction of Stroke in Society-here is the Link to the List of Projects,

Stroke Clinicians- If appropriate talk to your Stroke Survivor about getting involved. You will be doing a good deed. Here is the Link to the List of Projects,

Brian A Beh – A Stroke Survivor.