Introduction..

[nelg]

G'day Folk, I'm Glen, and a Johnny Come lately to the NSF. I am a stroke survivor, having had my stroke at 43, at the peak of my corporate career twenty years ago, in August 1990. I have just acceped the position of volunteer moderator at the NSF, as I felt, I have much to share with you my fellow stroke survivors, and your carers. I enjoy discussing challenges I have faced, and how I have coped over the years, taking it one day at a time, setting and resetting targets, then focussing on, and working to reach my goal, before setting yet another.
This is my invitation to every one of you out there, to get in touch with me, and introduce yourselves, so together, we can assist each other with our day to day efforts to live a more complete, and comfortable lifestyle. Jointly, we could have between us many years of valuable experience to share around, for all to benefit.

[elizabethc]

Hi Glen
As a 20 year survivor Iam sure you have a lot of wisdom to share with us all.
From your post it wasn't clear to me whether you are coordinating/moderating volunteers or whether you are a volunteer moderating/coordinating something.
Cheers
Elizabeth

[lara210]

Hi Johnny come lately (aka Glenn),
I'm a few years since my stroke. I'm Lara. Live in Sydney.
I was in England when I had a stroke at 25. I'm now 28.
Tell me if you'd rather not share but is your job @ NSF paid?
One day soon I'd looooooooove to get back to paid work. I'll prob need to drastically change my career path.

[nelg]

Hello Liz.,
Thanks for your query; I am a volunteer moderator, working to assist stroke survivors/carers, and anyone interested to share views or discuss matters of mutual benefit to our members.

[nelg]

Many thanks for taking time to touch base Lara, you had your stroke aged 15 years younger than me, so there is much you can enlighten me on.
Regards my status at the NSF, I am a Volunteer Moderator, and not payroll staff.
What was your profession pre stroke ? depending on your rehab, and how you respond, you should not have problems rejoining the paid work force. Remain focussed, be determined, and set achievable goals. I returned to my job post stroke, and even served an overseas assignment for a year. All the very best Lara, with your hopes and aspirations.

[elizabethc]

Hi Glen
Do you have any defincies from your stroke which you are still working on?
Cheers
Elizabeth

[lara210]

Hey Glen,

I was actually a hospital physio before hand. I'd taken a year off overseas (non physio work) & actually came back to Syd thinking I'd make a career shift. I had my stroke on my way home.

So now I'm not sure if I should go down the 'physio research' route, disability advocacy/policy route, busnissy route?

I'm quiet physically disabled but my mind/memory/concentration is 100%

Cheers.

[nelg]

G'day Liz., I have lost the use of my left arm (totally useless), I exercise it regularly, in an attempt to keep the mussels flexed; and am reviewed periodically. My last review a couple of months ago, established that my left hand tends to get very tightly clenched, and the wrist is bent. I have an appointment with the rehab director, after Easter sometime, to set up a new physio therapy program. Twenty years post stroke, am looking forward to the latest treatment. Have heard, that there is some "Botox" therapy, that may be used ??
Cheers.

[nelg]

Howdy Lara,
You are at a stage, where making choices appears to be the order of the day. Guess you have to study all the pros and cons, then make your decission. Given you have a genius mind, I would suggest, you embark on doing an MBA, then slot into the business stream of a bank, or major corporate; better still, if you can get in, on a career path, they could even sponsor you to do your MBA. Discuss your plans further with your family and peers in the nursing field, and get their views. Good luck Lara, and do keep in touch.

[lara210]

Hiya again,
I wouldn't say genius mind (although I do have the hairstyle of an insane genius!) haha
I get this government funding called the Self Managed Program. I just met with my coordinator this morning and we plan to employ this lady which helps brainstorming/applying/interviews/@ the workplace issues. That's covered by my funding.
So that's the first step.
FYI making these career decisions have always been quite hard for me. The MBA thing was always something I loosely considered.
Cheers!