This article is from page 11 of the 2005-10-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
A NEW group for people who have suffered strokes is being set up in the mid-west.
A Killaloe couple who are establishing the group say younger sufferers particularly find it difficult to access services or get help towards rehabilitation.
Hazel Ross, who suffered a stroke eight years ago when she was 48 years old and her husband, Tom Clifford, found that getting the services she needed was “extremely difficult.
“There just aren’t enough professionals to deal with the number of people who have strokes and those there are, are largely con- centrated in the geriatric services,’ said Tom.
While 120 people have strokes in Clare eve- ry year, younger victims can get rehab care in
Dublin.
“People as young as seven have had strokes and medical advice is that rehabilitation should begin as soon as 48 hours after a stroke.
“People can regain a lot of their abilities but if there are delays, then damage can be per- manent.
“Information and support for carers is very poor and there is no central source of infor- mation on issues such as funding for aids or housing,” said Tom.
The pair will launch the group will be on Tuesday Oct 18 at 7.30 pm at the Greenhills Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick.
Speakers on the evening include, survivors, consultant physician, Prof Declan Lyons of St. Camillus’ Hospital, therapists and local politi- cians.