​Step out for Stroke survivors in Antrim

The Stroke Association is holding a Step out for Stroke walk in Antrim Castle Gardens on 21 May 2017 at 2pm. This family fundraising event is open to everyone, regardless of age or ability. The charity is calling on people to register now and take part alongside local stroke survivors and their families.

Step out for Stroke is an event for everyone affected by stroke, and can be as long or as short as participants can manage. For stroke survivors, this challenge often marks their first steps since their stroke.

The flat course starts and finishes beside Clotworthy House and is around 1 mile in length. Depending on your own ability you can set your own distance: 10 steps, 100 meters, 1 Mile or 10 laps.

Jim Black, from Antrim, is a stroke survivor and a volunteer with the Stroke Association Antrim support group.

Jim says:

“I had my stroke at night in July 2009 when I was 42 years old. I stood up to get a glass of water and realised that I couldn’t move my right foot, my right side was weak and I felt very nauseous. I was more concerned about the sick feeling than the foot and right-side problem, as similar short-term things had happened over the last few years (doctors later proposed these as a series of mini-strokes). The next morning I got dressed but I couldn’t walk down the stairs as my right foot wouldn’t respond and my balance was still affected. My sister took me straight to Antrim Area Hospital where I was diagnosed with having had a stroke as well as severely high blood pressure. I was there for 10 days

“I’m lucky – my stroke wasn’t as severe as I’ve seen in other people, although I still have a weakness in my right side and I developed severe fatigue but this has improved over time. I had physiotherapy after I was discharged from hospital which helped my recovery.

“I discovered the Stroke Association in late 2012 when I was looking to get back to work and it was suggested to me to try volunteering. The local stroke support group in Antrim is only a few streets away. Since my introduction, I’ve been involved in many different ways. I volunteer in the groups, assisting the Speech and Language Therapist in providing support to group members. I also help the fundraising teams at collections in the local area and each year I volunteer as a marshal at the local Step Out for Stroke in Antrim Castle Gardens.

“Getting involved brought me out of myself. It’s helped give me structure and a sense of community. As I’ve had a stroke, I’ve been able to help the group members as I know a little of how they’re feeling – I have been through a similar situation. I would encourage everyone in the local community to join us for the Step Out for Stroke walk and show your support for stroke survivors.”

Madeline Donnelly, Fundraiser at the Stroke Association, said: “We’re inviting the whole community to come to this fun day out and help us make it an event to remember. Our Step Out for Stroke in Antrim marks a milestone for many stroke survivors taking part, and it’s an event that the whole family will enjoy.

“We’re looking forward to seeing some truly inspirational people who will be taking their first steps since their stroke. Everyone taking part will be joined by hundreds of people across the UK who is walking to raise vital funds for everyone affected by stroke.”

There are more than 4,000 strokes in Northern Ireland each year; that is around one stroke every five minutes. There are over 35,000 living in Northern Ireland with the effects of stroke. The Stroke Association provides Speech and Language Therapy and Stroke Recovery Services across Antrim. For more information on these services contact Janet Thompson on janet.thompson@stroke.org.uk or call 079 4727 3763

To find out more about Step Out for Stroke and to register your place visit www.stroke.org.uk/stepout