” Around 80 million people living in the world today have experienced a stroke and over 50 million survivors live with some form of permanent disability as a result.
In Australia, stroke kills more women than breast cancer and more men than prostate cancer. It is the biggest cause of adult disability.
While for many, life after stroke won’t be quite the same, with the right care and support living a meaningful life is still possible.
As millions of stroke survivors show us every day, it is possible to get #UpAgainAfterStroke.
While the impact of stroke will be different for everyone, on World Stroke Day (29 October) we want to focus the world’s attention on what unites stroke survivors and caregivers, namely their resilience and capacity to build on the things that stroke can’t take away – their determination to keep going on the recovery journey.
Stroke Foundation World Stroke Day
Download World Stroke Day 2018 Brochure
” Recently released Australian National University research, found around one-third to a half of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in their 40s, 50s and 60s were at high risk of future heart attack or stroke. It also found risk increased substantially with age and starts earlier than previously thought, with high levels of risk were occurring in people younger than 35.
The good news is more than 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.
As a first step, I encourage all the mob to visit to visit one of our 302 ACCHO clinics , their local GP or community health centre for a health check, or take advantage of a free digital health check at your local pharmacy to learn more about your stroke risk factors.
On World Stroke Day we are urging all the mob to take steps to reduce their stroke risk.”
Colin Cowell NACCHO Social Media editor and himself a stroke survivor 3 years ago today
“ The current guidelines recommend that a stroke risk screening be provided for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people over 35 years of age. However there is an argument to introduce that screening at a younger age.
Education is required to assist all Australians to understand what a stroke is, how to reduce the risk of stroke and the importance be fast acting at the first sign of stroke.”
Dr Mark Wenitong, Public Health Medical Advisor at Apunipima Cape York Health Council (Apunipima), says that strokes can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle and Health screening, and just as importantly, a healthypregnancy and early childhood can reduce risk for the child in later life.
Naomi Wenitong pictured above with her father Dr Mark Wenitong Public Health Officer at Apunipima Cape York Health Council in Cairns:
Share the stroke rap with your family and friends on social media and celebrate World Stroke Week in your community.
Listen to the new rap song HERE or Hear
The song, written by Cairns speech pathologist Rukmani Rusch and performed by leading Indigenous artist Naomi Wenitong, was created to boost low levels of stroke awareness in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan said the rap packed a punch, delivering an important message, in a fun and accessible way.
“The Stroke Rap has a powerful message we all need to hear,’’ Ms McGowan said.
“Too many Australians continue to lose their lives to stroke each year when most strokes can be prevented.
“Music is a powerful tool for change and we hope that people will listen to the song, remember and act on its stroke awareness and prevention message – it could save their life.”
Ms McGowan said the song’s message was particularly important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities who were over represented in stroke statistics.
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islanders are twice as likely to be hospitalised for stroke and are 1.4 times more likely to die from stroke than non-indigenous Australians. These alarming figures were revealed in a recent study conducted by the Australian National University.
There is one stroke every nine minutes in Australia and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are overrepresented in stroke statistics. Strokes are the third leading cause of death in Australia.
Apunipima delivers primary health care services, health screening, health promotion and education to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people across 11 Cape York communities. These health screens will help to make sure you aren’t at risk .
We encourage you to speak to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health Practitioner or visit one of Apunipima’s Health Centres or your nearest ACCO to talk to them about getting a health screen.
What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted, depriving an area of the brain of oxygen. This is usually caused by a clot (ischaemic stroke) or a bleed in the brain (haemorrhagic stroke).
Brief stroke-like episodes that resolve by themselves are called transient ischaemicattacks (TIAs). They are often a sign of an impending stroke, and need to be treated seriously.
Stroke is a time-critical medical emergency. The longer a stroke remains untreated, the greater the chance of stroke-related brain damage. After an ischaemic stroke, patients can lose up to 1.9 million neurons a minute until blood flow to the brain is restored.
What to do in case of stroke?
Stroke is a time-critical medical emergency. The longer a stroke remains untreated, the greater the chance of stroke-related brain damage. After an ischaemic stroke, patients can lose up to 1.9 million neurons a minute until blood flow to the brain is restored.
The Australian National Stroke Foundation promotes the FAST tool as a quick way for anyone to identify a possible stroke. FAST consists of the following simple steps:
Face – has their mouth has dropped on one side?
Arm – can they lift both arms?
Speech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time – is critical. Call an ambulance.
But the good news is more than 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.
Part 3
WHEN Aboriginal elder Aunty Pam Smith first had a stroke she had no idea what was happening to her body.
On her way back to town from a traditional smoking ceremony, she became confused, her jaw slack and dribbling.
Picture above : CARE: Coral and Bill Toomey at National Stroke Awareness Week.
“I started feeling headachey, when they opened up the car and the cool air hit me I didn’t know where I was – I was in LaLa Land,” she said.
A guest speaker at the Stroke Foundation National Stroke Awareness Week event in Tamworth, Ms Smith has created a cultural awareness book about strokes for other Aboriginal people.
She hopes it will teach others what to expect and how to look out for signs of a stroke, Aboriginal people are 1.4 times more likely to die from stroke than non-Indigenous people.
But, most still don’t go to hospital for help.
“Every time we went to a hospital we were treated for one thing, alcoholism – a bad heart or kidneys because of alcohol,” Ms Smith said.
“We were past that years ago, we’re up to what we call white fella’s things now.”
Elders encouraged people to make small changes in their daily lives, to quit smoking, eat a balanced diet and drink less alcohol.
For Bill Toomey it was a chance to speak with people who understood what it was like to have a stroke. A trip to Sydney in 2010 ended in the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital when he was found unconscious.
Now in a wheelchair, Mr Toomey was once a football referee and an Aboriginal Health Education Officer.
“I wouldn’t wish a stroke on anyone,” Mr Toomey said.
“I didn’t have the signs, the face didn’t drop or speech.”
His wife Coral Toomey cares for him, she was in Narrabri when he was rushed to hospital.
“Sometimes you want to hide, sit down and cry because there’s nothing you can do to help them,” she said.
“You’re doing what you can but you feel inside that it’s not enough to help them.”
Stroke survivor Pam Smith had a message for her community.
“Please go and have a second opinion, it doesn’t matter where or who it is – go to the hospital,” she said.
“If you’re not satisfied with your doctor go to another one.”