CLUB NEWS SPRING 2014

FROM MICHELLE’S DESK Hi all, Well we have come to the end of another year and we are all getting ready to celebrate Christmas. I have decided that as you get older the years fly by faster. For those of you who do not know, I have had another fall and broken the bone in the top part of my leg this time. So I am back in the wheelchair and struggling to get around. I see the doctor again on the 18th so I am expecting that he will give me the all clear to start walking SUBMISSIONS again. I will probably be a lot slower and more careful this time. My WELCOME thanks to all those who have sent their good wishes. I have very much appreciated hearing from you all. The Stroke Recovery We were very privileged to have the Brainwaves Choir perform for us at Association welcomes the launch of Stroke Awareness Week this year and I am thrilled to be contributions to Club News, able to tell you that Western University and Nordorff Robbins especially for our ‘Around Music Therapy have received funding to organize a choir in the the Clubs’ section. Sydney Metropolitan area. According to the flier it will be based somewhere around the Ryde area which is reasonably central. Submissions should be Stroke Awareness Week was a huge success this year and my thanks to addressed to: all who came along to the events and participated. I was particularly The Editor thrilled with the Burwood conference where we had over 100 people attend and the inaugural Sydney Stroke Olympics. The Olympics was Club News such a wonderful day and it was great to see everyone enjoy themselves PO Box 3401 so much. PUTNEY NSW 2112 My sincere thanks to all at the Tamworth Stroke Recovery Club who hosted the Associations' Annual General Meeting this year. Or send an email to Unfortunately I was not able to attend however the Board were thrilled [email protected] with the turn out and the interest shown in the work of the Association. Please note that The second part of our year is by far the busiest for us here at the contributions may be edited, Association, this year has not been any different. We are now in the either to reduce size, to process of preparing for an accreditation process which we are required assist with readability, or for to do by our funding bodies. This will take place on December 8 and I am legal/liability reasons. hoping we might start to slow down then and hopefully visit some of you as you celebrate for Christmas. Original photos sent through If not I will make a concerted effort to get out and about next year when I the post will be returned am back on my feet. In the meantime have a wonderful Christmas and a ASAP. safe holiday period. Kind regards Michelle

SAVE THE DATE!!!

Aphasia NSW

Conference 2015

Friday 17 April 2015 Macquarie University, North Ryde

Stroke Awareness Week 2015: Monday 14 September to Friday 20 September

Stroke Awareness Week Launch: Monday 14 September 2015 Burwood Stroke Conference: Tuesday 15 September 2015

The Stroke Recovery Association is now on Facebook! We have a Page, which anyone can access whether a Facebook member or not. Go to www.facebook.com/StrokeRecoveryAssociationNSW and ‘like’ us please. We would also like to set up a Facebook Group for Club Coordinators if there is enough interest. Coordinators who are on Facebook, please email [email protected] to be included if it eventuates.

DISCLAIMER COPYRIGHT The views expressed in Club News are not The Publisher of Club News is the Stroke necessarily those of the Stroke Recovery Recovery Association of NSW. Association nor its Board. No liability or No part of this publication may be reproduced, responsibility is accepted by the publisher for either in print or any other media, including the any consequences resulting from any action internet, without the written authorisation of the taken based on information or advertisements Executive Officer of the Stroke Recovery included herein. All care is taken to ensure the Association. Permission should be sought by accuracy of the contents, but this cannot be writing to PO Box 3401 PUTNEY NSW 2112 guaranteed and should not be relied upon. Australia.

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INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH Title of Study: Accurate Diagnosis for Positive Speech Rehabilitation DO YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY SPEAKING SINCE A STROKE? ARE YOU BETWEEN 18 AND 75 YEARS OF AGE? WERE YOU A FLUENT ENGLISH SPEAKER BEFORE YOUR STROKE? What are the aims of the study?  Develop new tests to improve diagnosis of speech disorders.  We hope this will help us design more specific and effective treatments.

What does the study involve?

EVERYONE: IF SUITABLE FOR YOU: IF SUITABLE FOR YOU:

Listening and speaking tasks 1 - 1½ hours MRI brain scan MEG brain scan At Sydney University, ½ hour 1½ hour Macquarie University or your At Brain Mind At Australian Hearing home. Research Institute Hub, Macquarie University

For more information, please contact us on 0421 617 858 or [email protected]

Discipline of Speech Pathology Faculty of Health Sciences Kirrie J Ballard Associate Professor Cumberland Campus at Lidcombe Email: [email protected] http://sydney.edu.au/health_sciences/ staff/kirrie_ballard

MEMORIAL GIFTS & BEQUESTS

A bequest is a gift for the future; please consider putting us in your will. For information about how to include The Stroke Recovery Association in your forward planning, please contact the office on (02) 9807-6422 or 1300-650-594, or email [email protected]. We can also supply ‘In Memoriam’ donation brochures with pre-paid addressed envelopes for use at memorial services.

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AROUND THE CLUBS

COFFS HARBOUR STROKE RECOVERY CLUB

Karen-Ann Hay, President of the Stroke Recovery Club, sent in the photo above. “For Stroke Awareness week this year, we created a "uniform" of a green shirt with the tartan ribbon sewn onto the front. All members who volunteered to man the tables were given a shirt. It gave a very professional appearance to our group. Pictured are Una and Henry Studer with Anthony Webster, at Coffs Centro Shopping Centre during Stroke Awareness Week 2014.” WESTLAKES STROKE RECOVERY CLUB

Coralie Fisk sent in this photo of some members of the Westlakes Stroke Recovery Club enjoying a cruise on the famous Riverboat Postman, on the Hawkesbury River. Skippered by locals, the cruise delivers the mail to the river-access-only settlements upriver from Brooklyn.

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ROSE BAY STROKE RECOVERY CLUB

Dorothy Cafarelli sent in this photo of the group having “ Christmas In July” at the Little Bay Coast Golf Club.

MUSWELLBROOK STROKE RECOVERY CLUB

Joyce Lay has retired from the Muswellbrook Stroke Recovery Club, Lem Rose tells us: “But far from ‘sitting back’, Joyce is an active member of Pink Ladies, Legacy, the War Widows Club and the View Club, as well as the usual things that one has to do. She will be missed by our little Club and we wish her health and happiness in all her many activities.” At left is a photo of Joyce with her flower arrangement which Lem presented on behalf of the Club at her last meeting. Impressively, this is after 25 years’ service as a volunteer. All of us at the Stroke Recovery Association thank Joyce for her many years of dedicated service, and wish her well in her numerous future endeavours. Happy retirement Joyce!

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WESTLAKES STROKE RECOVERY CLUB

Darryl Parker sent in the photo above, taken on the group’s recent outing to the Westpac rescue Base in Broadmeadow, Newcastle. “For a cost of $8.00 per head, we received a beautiful morning tea, of sandwiches and scones with jam and real cream, plus a choice of tea or coffee. Following the gastronomic intake, we were then given a guided tour of the base, meeting a paramedic, doctor, pilot and one of the flight crew (John), who was our tour guide. It was a fantastic experience, that lasted almost 2 hours. A great day was had by all.”

Stroke Recovery Association Complaints and Feedback Process

Are you aware the Association has a complaints and feedback form? It is available from the Association on 1300 650 594 or by emailing [email protected]. All complaints received are investigated by the Executive Officer and a report along with the original written complaint are presented to the Board of Directors. We also have a quality improvement log where suggestions on how we can improve any aspects of our services are detailed and incorporated into our strategic planning processes - which happen from November through to February each year. If you would like a copy of any of these policies and forms contact Michelle on the number or email above.

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ALBURY WODONGA STROKE RECOVERY CLUB

Narelle Maloney sent in exciting news about Stewart Cathie from the Wodonga Stroke Recovery Club, who recently won bronze at the Special Olympics Nationals for sailing. Just over two years ago Mr Cathie was learning how to walk and talk again, but now he has his sights set on the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Congratulations on your medal Stewart, and good luck!

IN MEMORIAM

Pat McGrath of the New England Stroke Recovery Club sent in the sad news of the passing of member Cliff Wright (photo at left) at the end of July after another Stroke. “Cliff was a valued member and his passing is a very sad loss for all of us.”

The Tamworth Stroke Recovery Club has lost dedicated member Lorna Harrop. Lorna was Secretary of the group for 13 years, while her husband Charles was President for 8 years. “The dedication and passion they put into the Club was of great benefit to all the members. Along with former President Ernie Woollard, Charles and Lorna received awards from the State Government for their contribution to the Stroke Recovery Movement”, June Winklerman reports.

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IN MEMORIAM

We were devastated to hear of the passing of David Watkin, from the GLAMS Club. His wife Lesley sent in some lovely memories to share:

David Watkin was a founding member of the Great Lakes and Manning Stroke Recovery Club. He enjoyed the company of other members, the activities, and he also kept a sharp eye on the Club’s finances as our Treasurer.

David was born, educated and started his work as a Chartered Professional Electrical Engineer, in England. A contract to design, manufacture and install a digital refrigeration control system for refrigeration containers at Port Botany in 1979 brought him to Australia.

David and I met, and we settled in Sydney. We became Australian citizens and he joined the Institute of Engineers Australia. David later became a Fellow of the Institute in 1996 due to the leading edge technology he was developing in designing equipment to transfer data of radio systems. We built our own business, working hard, playing hard and generally enjoying life with golf and sailing added to the mix.

All this came to sudden end when we were on holiday looking for somewhere to buy a property and raise goats for meat (David would still sell software if the goats did not turn out to be profitable). The house was on the market, the keys with the real estate agent, and we were both looking forward to semi-retirement. Then David had a brainstem stroke in November 1999, knocking out most of his physical abilities. Forster was on our radar for moving to in 2010, so the goat farm got swapped for a direct move to Forster.

David loved living here, enjoyed the weather, the garden, the Stroke Group outings, and the community at large. We both enjoyed the support and care received as it allowed us to carve out a good quality of life. I n January David had to have full time residential care due to yet another major stroke. He died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

Our Stroke Club Members formed a guard of honour at the Church; they and other friends and relations covered his coffin in the grave with rose petals. Afterwards at the Golf Club we celebrated his life in the style he would approve of. May he now be healing. His loving wife Lesley, Secretary/Coordinator GLAMS

DONATIONSDONATIONS TO:Primary TO: BusinessPO Box Address 3401 YourPUTNEY Address NSW Line 2112 2 Freecall:Your Address 1300 650Line 594 3 Your Address Line 4 Phone:Phone: (02)555 -9807555-5555-6422 Fax:Fax: 555 (02)-555 9808-5555-6173 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.strokensw.org.au