Press release -
New stroke group launched for young stroke survivors in Bishops Stortford
A new service for young stroke survivors will launch at 10am on Monday 13 April at Starbucks in Jackson Square Shopping Centre. The stroke group, called ‘Be Yourself’ is run by the Stroke Association and will take place on a monthly basis.
The group is for young stroke survivors in their fifties and under, and will take place every second Monday of the month from 10-11:30pm. The group provides a place for people to meet fellow stroke survivors who have had similar experiences.
Samantha Barrett, 44, a stroke survivor from Bishops Stortford, has been appointed as the Stroke Association’s Young Stroke Coordinator for Herts and Essex to run the monthly Stroke Association voluntary group.
Samantha, mum of two, had her stroke just before Christmas in 2013. Samantha adds, “I woke in the middle of the night very dizzy. I staggered to the toilet, holding myself up. I went back to bed but even with my eyes shut the room was spinning. I stayed in bed the next day as was a Sunday and thought I was very ill, but by the evening I decided I needed to go to the doctors the next day. When I went to the doctors my right side felt odd, my eye felt tight, and my head felt like a jigsaw puzzle that wouldn’t match.”
Samantha had had a devastating stroke. Samantha adds, “I know the huge impact a stroke can have on someone, and that’s why I want to help others who are faced with this horrible condition. I have days when I am wiped out for no reason, and I get painful headaches on one side of my head. I find I can’t control my mouth sometimes and my balance is slightly wobbly when I’m tired.”
Samantha said: ‘We’re really excited to launch this new stroke group. Younger stroke survivors face specific challenges, such as returning to work. We’re inviting all young stroke survivors in Bishops Stortford to join us for the launch, and to attend the monthly group meetings.
‘Around one in four strokes occur in people under 65. Stroke is life-changing, but Stroke Association services, such as this new social group can really make a difference to lives of stroke survivors. Together we can conquer stroke.’
For more information, please call Samantha Barrett on 07907 712775. To find out more about stroke, visit www.stroke.org.uk
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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