From Wheelchair to Windsurfer – Peter Parker
Peter told us about what happened to him in 1987, at 44 years of age, when he had a stroke which was not diagnosed for 12 days, even though he contacted his GP, went to A&E, and was sent to a General Ward at Broomfield. He recovered when he was sent home having only had a week of therapy, using his own initiative, adapting the exercises physiotherapy had given him, brain training to increase concentration, and jogging to give physical exercise. Patients suffer tiredness, and he still does, and often depression is another factor to be taken into consideration. He persevered and was able to windsurf across the Channel in 1989, windsurfing being one of his targets when he was so ill.
Things have changed since then with a £12m campaign starting in 2009. If you have symptoms like those covered in F A S T – Face, Arm, Speech, Time – call 999 – strokes which are treated early give a much better chance of recovery. 1 in 6 people will have a stroke in their lifetime with a quarter of them in the under 65’s of which one third will live, one third will have some form of disability and one third will die. Peter has publicised and raised money for the Stroke Association ever since.
Refreshments were available, as well as leaflets about Stroke Awareness, and there was the opportunity to ask questions and obtain more information from our speaker.
PAWS next get-together is on 24th June when D. Clarke will speak about “A Garden Holiday Experience”. Currently membership is full but visitors are very welcome at the cost of £3.50 which includes refreshments.
Details of all our meetings and speakers can be found on the diary of the home page of the Winstred 100 website. If you would like further information about PAWS please ring one of the following committee members: Alice Holmes 01206 735510, Jane Banks 01206 735004 or Jane Anderson 01206 735505.
