Avid NSF supporter and creator of Facebook group “I had a stroke and here’s a happy ending” Adrian O’Malley reached an amazing milestone earlier this month, when he completed a six day bushwalk in Tasmania.

Three and a half years ago, Adrian O’Malley was a fit and healthy 34 year old looking forward to becoming a first time dad. Then with no warning, he suffered a stroke that changed the course of his life.

Unable to walk, use his right arm and hand and limited vision Adrian set himself a challenge – to increase public awareness of stroke and raise money for the National Stroke Foundation by walking Tasmania’s Overland Track.

“It’s been a long haul that started with me trying to walk the length of the hospital corridor” said Adrian “It feels great to have proven a stroke hasn’t stopped me from doing this”

We would like to thank Adrian for his inspirational efforts in raising awareness of stroke and congratulate him on his achievements, both on and off the Overland Track.

Adrian has appeared in a number of media interviews, discussing his experiences, some of which can be viewed below.

• Adrian O’Malley on 936 ABC Hobart.wmv

• Adrian O’Malley in The Examiner

• Adrian O’Malley on Southern Cross News

Emma Gee works at the NSF as a Project Officer in the stroke support area. Emma survived a stroke at 24 years of age, this experience, along with her career knowledge as an Occupational Therapist enables Emma to offer a candid and honest view on what it is like for those affected by stroke and how the new StrokeConnect online forum can help.

I understand the support stroke survivors and carers receive following a stroke can assist in the road to recovery. Following my own experience, I am passionate about enhancing stroke support and am committed to growing and fostering a supportive online community with a new NSF initiative called StrokeConnect.

StrokeConnect is an online forum, that provides a safe place to build connections with others who have a similar experience, pose questions, find answers, stimulate new discussions, get information and share stories. It enables people to meet others affected by stroke without having to leave their home.

Throughout my own recovery I’ve had amazing support, but realised it can still be tough.

The prospect of other stroke survivors tackling this journey on their own really scares me. I am so pleased to be part of the StrokeConnect initiative, as it enables everyone involved to feel they have support from others who understand their situation.

StrokeConnect offers support to anyone affected by the aftermath of stroke. For example, I think people underestimate how huge a carer’s role is in any stroke survivors journey, without them we’d be so lost, but StrokeConnect is designed to support them too.

It’s great to hear that other people are dealing with the same problem, just to hop online and vent about a problem and for someone at the other end to really understand.  The fact that we can access this support without getting out of our pjs, facing the bad weather and relying on the support of another to take you out, makes it so much easier for all.

Our aim is that StrokeConnect continues to grow and becomes a valuable and essential element of peer support for stroke survivors, carers and others impacted by stroke.

StrokeConnect can reduce the impact stroke has on so many lives purely by enabling people to share and connect.

I strongly encourage anyone touched by stroke to get online, register and be part of the discussion.

StrokeConnect online can be viewed at http://www.strokefoundation.com.au/strokeconnect/

Belinda and the team outside the Taj Mahal.

Belinda is an employee at the National Stroke Foundation. As a member of the team she provides post stroke education and information, after she herself survived a stroke four years ago.

Having had a stroke myself 4 years ago and since working for the National Stroke Foundation for the past year, I considered taking part in Memorable Challenge Cycle India trip in November 2009 a great way to raise some much needed funds for the NSF, as well as being a great way to see India.

After convincing two of my closest girl friends to come with me to join the adventure, we quickly set about undertaking fundraising tasks to reach the target $19,500, and I must admit it whilst it was hugely rewarding, it was harder than I had anticipated. With the support of our family and friends and a number of extremely creative fundraising initiatives, we have reached $17,000.

After putting in all the hard work organising events and raffles etc, it was a fabulous reward to know we were off to India. Little did we know, there was more hard slog ahead!

The actual cycling was challenging, it really isn’t called a memorable challenge for nothing!

While we had been out training around Melbourne for months, nothing could have prepared us for the Indian cycles. The bikes had no gears or suspension and the condition of the roads in comparison to Australian city roads was very different

We were originally told the roads were “mainly flat,” perhaps we should have known better! However the hard terrain and however agonizing the biking, it was very rewarding when we eventually crossed the finish line and had completed the entire route, every painful kilometre.

It was especially rewarding for me and I felt a great sense of accomplishment. I can now say I can do anything I wish, even after my stroke!

India is a truly amazing place and because we were part of the World Expeditions Cycle trip, we had the opportunity to see so many different parts of the country.

Throughout the trip, the crew really looked after us and made sure we were safe and happy – even teaching us a bit of Hindi along the way.

A highlight of the trip definitely includes the Taj Mahal; it is a truly magical sight during sunrise.

All the sites of India are breathtaking, but I would have to say that the true highlight of this trip was the people of India. We were constantly spurred on in our cycling by locals, especially the children, who were always running to greet us as we rode by yelling “ta ta” or “bye bye’ or “good morning” with big smiles on their faces, this is a sight I will never forget.

• To help the girls reach their target of $19,500 visit their Mycause donations page
• To take your own memorable challenge visit the Memorable Challenge page on the NSF website

Last year famous musician and conductor Tommy Tycho suffered a stroke.

Following a fall at home, Tommy was admitted to hospital where a scan revealed he had suffered a massive aneurysm.

He was then taken to the operating theatre where the doctor inserted a drain into his head and saved his life.

Before his stroke, Tommy was highly successful in his career. His credits include thousands of orchestrations, composing and arranging over 1,500 pieces of music for movies and television, including the Medal Ceremony music for the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, to name only a few.

Suffering from a stroke has temporarily put an end to his highly successful career.

Throughout his recovery he has had many breakthroughs, including the recovery of speech from a whisper to normal volume, being able to eat solid food and drink proper liquid, being able to sit up in my wheelchair, but most important of all he has started to write music again and play the piano.

After three months of rehab he was moved to a nursing home as he has paralysis on his left side and needs 24 hour care.

This is perhaps the biggest effect of the stroke on Tommy’s life as he is now living without his wife Eve, after 59 years of a wonderful marriage.

Tommy credits the exceptional work of staff at his nursing home, support of his therapists and his determination to his successful road to recovery.

He aims to one day become totally mobile and stand once again on the podium in front of his orchestra and conduct a two hour concert.

Tommy’s story is a powerful demonstration of what is possible in recovery after a stroke.

The National Stroke Foundation works tirelessly to ensure all people affected by stroke have the best outcomes possible.

This festive season we thank you for your support for this important work during a very difficult year and any donation you can make to the NSF Christmas Appeal is greatly appreciated.

You are an important person helping us achieve our life saving goals.

To make a contribution, please visit the donate page on our website.

October 29th is World Stroke Day and in response, The National Stroke Foundation would like to know what you think you can do to help raise awareness of stroke.

All you need to do to reach our goal of 2,000 signatures, is join our petition by posting your name and a comment on what you can do to help.

It really is that easy to do your bit for raising awareness of stroke!

In one of our previous blogs we called out for volunteers to provide peer support to stroke survivors over the phone. We are excited to announce we now have 9 fantastic volunteer stroke survivors and carers who have answered this call. Each of these volunteers will be responsible for taking very important phone calls, from people who have had a stroke and would like to connect with someone who has travelled the stroke recovery journey and understands the challenges they are facing. This will provide stroke survivors and carers with reassurance, encouragement  as well as emotional and practical support. Any questions they have will be answered and they will be made aware of the available services and information that could help them.

StrokeConnect Phone starts on the 15^th of September and the free number to call is 1800 787 653. Watch this space for updates!

We are still looking for volunteers who can take part in StrokeSafe Education - a program where you will provide the community with crucial knowledge to help them understand the signs of stroke and how to prevent a stroke. All you have to do is deliver the talks and attend a free training session - all the material is prepared by us.  If you are interested, please email: strokesafeseminar@strokefoundation.com.au

Did you know about this fantastic support service? It is free and confidential and you will talk with a qualified health professional.

Have you ever wanted to be a Volunteer? Put your experiences to use? Help someone else in need?

We have two volunteering opportunities at the NSF and we really need your help.

The aim of Phone Peer Support is to connect stroke survivors with

volunteering carers and stroke survivors over the phone to provide them with emotional and practical support.

strokesafe^TM  is an education program where volunteers will provide the community with crucial knowledge to help them understand and remember the signs of stroke and how to prevent a stroke.

Training will be provided.

All you have to do is complete the volunteer application form. 

Click here for more info on the volunteering programs.

Those who can, do.  Those who can do more, volunteer ~ Author Unknown