Press release -
Stratford-upon-Avon stroke survivor calls on people to ‘Give a Hand’
Stratford-upon-Avon resident Megan Giglia, who had a stroke at27, is challenging people across the West Midlands to ‘Give a Hand’ to the Stroke Association.
The charity’s fundraising initiative ‘Give a Hand’ will see people across the UK complete an everyday activity using the hand they wouldn’t normally use from 26 October to 01 November 2015.
Megan, now 30, had a stroke in January 2013 which left her with right side paralysis. Since her stroke, she has continued to recover and been accepted onto Great Britain Cycling Team with her eyes set on the Rio Paralympics in 2016.
She said: “I have always been an active person, so to lose control of my right side was a huge shock. However, one morning after a lot of ups and downs, I decided that I couldn’t let my stroke stop me from doing anything I wanted, and I would focus all my energy, emotion and determination on a sport. I have always cycled for leisure, but never dreamed that I could ride at an elite level. To begin with, I could only stay on the bike for a few seconds before I fell off. But I wasn’t going to give up. So I tried over and over again until I could stay on for longer.”
“By getting involved with ‘Give a Hand,’ hopefully many more people will be able to help change the world for stroke survivors. The vital funds raised for the Stroke Association will support people like me who are on the road to recovery.”
Sophie James, Community and Events Fundraising Manager at the Stroke Association, said: “A stroke strikes in an instant but its effects can last a lifetime. Three quarters of stroke survivors lose the use of one of their hands. Often people affected by stroke have to re-learn to do the things they’ve always done – using their other hand. The Stroke Association supports people through this rehabilitation.
“We’re calling on people to ‘Give a Hand’ this October and raise funds by completing a task, or several, using their ‘other’ hand. By taking part and raising funds for the Stroke Association, we can help more people like Meganto conquer stroke.”
To find out more about ‘Give a Hand,’ please visit www.stroke.org.uk/giveahand to download or request a fundraising pack. For more information about stroke call the helpline on 0303 3033 100.
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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
