I have mentioned in an earlier blog my admiration for the work done by the charity ARNI Trust and the humbling experience of working with stroke survivors to help them re-learn everyday tasks that you and I may take for granted like getting down onto the floor….and standing up again.
Over the past two days, many of us who undertook the practical training have continued our training towards our accreditation at level 4 Specialist Instructor for Stroke Rehabilitation by attending a series of lectures at the Royal School of Medicine arranged by Dr Tom Balchin who is founder and Director of the ARNI Trust.
A Journey Through Stroke
The series of lecures that comprised our two days of theory was presented by distinguished Doctors, Physiotherapists, Lecturers as well as Managers and Co-ordinators from the Stroke Association, the NHS and Different Strokes charity so all well informed and ” leading edge” professionals and I have to say that the information they presented was almost overwhelming for a hands-on, physical activity and certainly non-acadmic person but I believe I still took home the key messages.
Stroke need not be the “end of the line”
Early intervention is critical for a quicker and better recovery
Diet and Exercise play a huge part in recovery and rehabilitation
The “care pathway” is good up until the point of rehabilitation and is then sadly lacking
The “system” is geared for older adults (over 65) who are the population most affected by stroke
This has led me to the decision to use my expertise where I think I can have the most impact in my small way
Rehabilitation for the Younger Stroke Survivor
From the small amount of research I have done on the Internet I have found organisation that are set up for funding, grants, research, awareness campaigns and good practice and a whole bunch of well meaning people seem to be so caught up in the system that what is left for an individual is nothing more than the signs and symptoms of stroke and less about the person and their individual needs. Surely a one size fits all policy leaves a huge number of people who don’t fit the proffered solution?
I believe young people are such people and I shall be dedicating some of my time and resources to help younger stroke survivors with their rehabilitation, not through the public sector and the unwealdy apparatus but by treating them as any client who wants personal training. The difference is that thanks to Tom Balchin and the ARNI trust I have a much better understanding of stroke and how I can help people look good, feel great and live their lives better – even after stroke
About Peter Moorhead
