Stroke survivors talk about their challenges
Stroke survivors need to let day hospital managers know if they experience problems getting help at the facilities.
This was the message from Wilfred Allen, a physiotherapist at the Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre, who spoke to members of the Overcomers Community Support Group for stroke survivors, who met at Lentegeur police station on Wednesday March 29.
The centre provides rehabilitation services for people with medical, post-surgical, post-trauma, neurological, orthopaedic, musculoskeletal and other conditions.
The members of the support group complained about not being prioritised at health facilities and finding it hard to access grants and treatment after being discharged.
Picking up on the discussion, Mr Allen said managers did not often know what was happening on the ground.
“All you need to do is make them aware,” he told the group, advising them to contact the provincial health department’s surety manager and to document their complaints in writing.
“They must acknowledge receipt thereof and decide on a way forward. And if that does not happen, then escalate the matter,” he said.
Mr Allen said patients should hold carers and health professionals accountable to provide the best possible care.
The support group was started last year by David Webber, 67, from Portland, who suffered a stroke in August 2019.
“I have learned since my injury the best help to a stroke survivor and the family comes from those who have experienced the same. We need to find a way to share our experiences, learn from each other and somehow get our voices heard,“ he said.
A stroke is caused by the interruption of blood supply to the brain.
Gaynor Dankers, the project manager at Arisen Women Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in Mitchell's Plain that provides home-based, palliative and rehabilitation care, said that stroke survivors could ask their doctor to put them in touch with the foundation or a similar organisation.
Community activist Youmna Mohammed, from Lobelia Seniors Club, meanwhile encouraged recipients of state disability grants and pensions to renew their expired South African Social Security Agency cards (“Renew expired SASSA/Postbank gold cards,” Plainsman March 29).
Mr Webber told the Plainsman that it was the group’s vision to see stroke survivors empowered with knowledge, hope and awareness to reach their highest potential.
They have monthly meetings in a room at Lentegeur police station.
The next meeting will be at 10am on Wednesday April 26. For more information call Mr Webber on 073 511 3961.
