Press release -
Bath stroke survivor receives regional recognition
A stroke survivor from Bath has received a Highly Commended Life After Stroke Award from the Stroke Association in recognition of his courage and determination.
John Carr, 60, had a stroke in February 2013. The stroke left John unable to move his body, swallow and with a speech difficulty called aphasia.
The Stroke Association’s Life After Stroke Awards recognise the courage shown by stroke survivors and carers as well as the great work and commitment shown by health professionals, groups and supporter organisations.
The Life After Stroke Award was presented to John at a ceremony at the Hilton hotel in Cardiff on 22 January 2019.
John was nominated for the Adult Courage Award by Philippa Gordon, Support Coordinator at the Stroke Association. Philippa said: “John has expressive aphasia, and champions the wellbeing of people with aphasia in everything he does. John will always find a way to do what he wants, finding solutions for any barriers that his stroke might create.
“From not being able to speak at all, John can now hold conversations with anybody, when given time to speak. He has worked exceptionally hard both with speech and language therapists, and spent many hours by himself working on his communication.
“John is an active member of the Stroke Association’s Bath Communication Support Group and the Stroke Association Bath Peer Support Group. He is always there with a beaming smile to welcome new members to the group. And if that isn’t enough, John also shares his lovely baritone voice in the Stroke Association Bath Aphasia Choir!
“John has a fabulous outlook to life; he is always looking at what he can do, and not regretting what he can’t. John is a true inspiration and I feel very lucky to know him. Everyone that has worked with John comments on how dedicated, knowledgeable and passionate he is – we can’t quite imagine the stroke world without him.”
To find out more about the Stroke Association’s Life After Stroke Awards, please visit www.stroke.org.uk/LASA.