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A new initiative – Stand Up to Stroke – is being launched in Guernsey to support stroke sufferers and their families and friends
The new six-session workshop programme is being organised and run by physiotherapist and stroke specialist Elaine Strappini who is one of the founders of the organisation Happy at Home.
Elaine has played a leading role within stroke rehabilitation for the majority of her 15-year career. She understands the complexity of a stroke and the impact even a "minor" one can have on every area of someone’s life.
The programme aims to provide stroke survivors with the tools and knowledge they need to become an ‘expert’ on their own brain. Both stroke survivors and their friends and family will be offered guidance on how to set goals that motivate and inspire, and will be given advice about making the life changes necessary to achieve them.
A pilot session is being held 8th June providing an introduction to the latest science behind stroke recovery, goal-setting, and an overview of the impact mindset and self-belief have on a survivor’s stroke recovery. The full six-session programme is being run in September.
Elaine explained why she has set up this new initiative: "About 120 people a year in Guernsey suffer a stroke. It is the most common cause of disability in the island. We have a specialist stroke team with amazing skills which provides an extremely high standard of care, as well as volunteer and charitable organisations which help to support stroke survivors and their families in the community. Most of the support is available at the early stages soon after the stroke – which of course is vitally important. But often patients will spend three to six months in hospital and when they are sent home the support is reduced. This is where the Stand Up to Stroke programme can help.
"After being in hospital that long, many people find the thought of going home a frightening proposition. This is when they start to become more aware of their limitations. It doesn’t matter how long ago a person has suffered a stroke; they are still capable of changing habits and behaviour that will help promote recovery."
To enquire about the sessions or to register for a place, please call Elaine Strappini on 07781 410402 or via email on elaine@happyathome.gg
