Life After Stroke Awards 2014

The Stroke Association’s Life After Stroke Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of stroke survivors, their families and carers. They also recognise the compassion and unfailing commitment of people and organisations to help rebuild the lives of those who have been affected by strokes.
 
Do you know someone affected by stroke who’s truly inspirational? Then nominate them for our 2014 awards and help them get the recognition they deserve.
All over the UK, there are people who show amazing courage, determination and compassion on a daily basis in an effort to overcome the debilitating effects of stroke. We want you to help us find them. Whether that person is a stroke survivor, carer, professional or volunteer, let them know just how remarkable they are by nominating them for a Life After Stroke Award 2014.

Follow the link to find out more:
http://www.stroke.org.uk/LASA

Appy Shopper - Fight Stroke when you shop on-line

Fight stroke every time you shop online

Appy Shopper is the Stroke Association's new online shopping app and a brilliant way to help change the world for stroke survivors.
When you shop online at over 1,400 retailers, they will donate up to 4% of what you spend, directly to the Stroke Association's cause, helping to provide vital support services across the country to help stroke survivors regain their lives.
There is no sign up required, no personal or payment details are collected, and Appy Shopper is completely free.
Whether it’s your weekly shop or a treat for someone special. Whether it’s click and collect or a next day delivery.
Whatever it is, if you shop online then become a Stroke Association Appy Shopper today and raise money for The Stroke Association at the same time by following the link:
http://www.stroke.org.uk/fundraise/appy-shopper

Family holiday

I'm back - after a brief interval from writing. I have been busy getting back on my feet after another period of fatigue and in general not feeling my "normal" self.
I have been recalled to the hospital's eye clinic for another pressure test and eye sight test. Thankfully, this time the readings were good but I am still under their care, but the good news is that I do not have to return for twelve months. I consider myself extremely fortunate that after all this time I am still under their care.
 . . Although the Stroke took the right hand side on my body it affected my left eye.

Three weeks ago I had a couple of separate anxious incidents: When I was getting up from a sitting position I became very light headed and the room started to pass me by. I just had to sit quietly and take on board copious amounts of water, that calmed things down but the fretful feeling that this caused was incalcuble. Anything that happens that is sligtly out of the ordinary is still cause for concern and I need answers!!
I visited the G.P. who looked after me initially and after testing was told that on standing from a sitting position there was a drop in blood pressure and my medication was changed. A routine blood test showed that my cholesterol level had shown a slight increase and again my medication was changed.    I was given a follow up appointment and this is reassuring also.
Outwardly, I look very well and that is testament to the initial care and that of my family and professionals over the intervening years, but this can be-lie how I sometimes feel. It can be difficult to deal with when people tell me how well I look and perhaps do not fully understand what they cannot see.
For the time being I have temporarily stopped going to Chairobics but have increased my walking.  My stamina levels are good and as long as the weather is pleasant I will continue my daily walk to and from town and endeavour a longer walk one day a week.

Two  months ago, before any of the above came about, the whole family had a weeks holiday in
Santiago de la Ribera, Murcia in south east Spain. We had a fabulous apartment, which was close to the airport and supermarkets. The weather was warm and sunny, except for one day when it rained and overcast and so we caught the ferry to La Manga.

Apartment and pool

 It was wonderful to have a family gathering: our two sons, wives and granddaughter. My husband and I were spoilt rotten as they shopped and cooked for us. We walked to the lagoon front daily, except for the trip to La Manga and on another day we caught a bus to Murcia.
The lagoon is very safe and the water very warm - perfect for a week's relaxation.
The airport, Murcia - St Javier, is small and located on the north shore line of the Mar Menor. It is also an air station where the equivalent of The Red Arrows are based. On some days they were flying over the lagoon- quite a sight for the bathers! As usual, I had wheel chair assistance at both aiports - I still have not conquered my anxieties of crowds and airport security. I have been very fortunate to have undertaken all that I have this year. This has been a special year for us - to celebrate my 6oth birthday. I am definately better in all respects especially with stamina levels and walking and also less anxious about things which initially worried me. However, I have not yet got my hand and arm recovered - but continue to work hard at this.
Remember it is important to have regular blood and blood presure checks - if you have experienced a Stroke this is vital to your well-being.

Murcia

                                                                                                

A Daily Stroll - Research

Avoiding stroke can be a walk in the park A DAILY stroll could cut the risk of a stroke by nearly two thirds without the need for power walking, researchers have suggested. Nov 15 2013 By Alice Philipson

 A DAILY stroll could cut the risk of a stroke by nearly two thirds without the need for power walking, researchers have suggested.Walking between one and two hours a day can cut the risk of a stroke by a third, while longer walks can lower the risk by two thirds. Rearchers found that the length of time spent walking had a bigger impact than speed.The study, published in the American journal Stroke, examined 3,435 healthy men aged 60 to 80.Participants were questioned about the distance they walked each week and their usual walking pace.The research showed that men who walked for eight to 14 hours a week were a third less likely to suffer a stroke than those who spent no more than three hours walking. For men walking more than 22 hours a week, the risk was two thirds lower.Dr Barbara Jefferis, the lead researcher at University College London, said: “The total time spent walking was more consistently protective against stroke than walking pace; overall it seemed that accumulating more time walking was most beneficial.”Dr Shannon Amoils, from the British Heart Foundation, said the study, which it part-funded, suggested that “even a daily stroll in the park can be an effective way to keep healthy”.In 2010, a study by Harvard researchers found that women who walked for two or more hours a week were 30 per cent less likely to suffer a stroke than those who rarely walked very far. Women who said they normally walked at a fast pace, classified as at least three miles an hour, reduced their risk by 37 per cent.

Nov 15 2013 By Alice Philipson - Daily Telegraph

Stroke Survivor's Declaration

The Stroke Association believe all stroke survivors should have the right to make their best possible recovery. But it is often tough achieving this.

The Stroke Survivors' Declaration, written by over 120 stroke survivors, sets out the level of care and support you should be able to expect after a stroke. We hope it will help you and your family or carers to navigate the health, social care and welfare system, and know what to do if your needs aren’t being met.

 Please follow this link to find out more:
http://www.stroke.org.uk/sites/default/files/files/SSD_Eng_Scot_Nov2013_web%281%29.pdf