Press release -
Liverpool stroke survivors star in new exhibition to Make May Purple
Stroke survivors from Liverpool are the subjects of a powerful new photography exhibition, which will be displayed in the city during Action on Stroke Month.
During the month of May, the Stroke Association aims to Make May Purple and raise awareness of the impact of stroke, while also raising vital funds. The group of stroke survivors have posed to highlight the devastating effects of stroke, using the colour purple to depict how each individual has been affected differently.
The shots will be displayed at Central Library in Liverpool on Friday 15 May, also coinciding with Liverpool Light Night, the city’s one-night arts and culture festival.
The subjects of the photos are members of the Stroke Association’s volunteer led group, Merseyside Life After Stroke Group. The group meets each week at the Old Roan Baptist Church in Liverpool, providing peer support for stroke survivors, along with art therapy and creative activities.
Among those photographed is Debbie Pritchard, 35 from Norris Green. Debbie had a brainstem stroke in 2010, caused by a car accident. The stroke affected the vision in her right eye, but also left her with a loss of sensation in the left hand side of her body. She said: “Having a stroke is a life changing experience. I had to learn to walk, talk and eat again; I was fed through a tube for six weeks after my stroke. In addition to my sight and sensation, the stroke also affected my short term memory and special awareness.”
Chris Larkin, Regional Head of Operations at the Stroke Association, added: “The exhibition highlights the impact of stroke and the different ways a stroke can affect a person’s life. It also supports our campaign this Action on Stroke Month, when we’re calling on communities to come together and help us to Make May Purple. From baking purple cupcakes to organising a purple office day and everything in between, we’re calling on everyone to join and go purple for stroke.
“Money raised during the month will help ensure we can be there for the thousands of stroke survivors and their families and carers who need support, as they come to terms with a life after stroke.”
To find out more about this year’s Action on Stroke Month and how you can get involved to Make May Purple, please visit www.stroke.org.uk/strokemonth
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A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. There are around 152,000 strokes in the UK every year and it is the leading cause of severe adult disability. There are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke.
Stroke Association is a charity. We believe in life after stroke and together we can conquer stroke. We work directly with stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals and with scientists and researchers. We campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best recovery they can. We fund research to develop new treatments and ways of preventing stroke. The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) provides information and support on stroke. More information can be found at www.stroke.org.uk
