Press release -
Mosaic unveiling kicks of Action on Stroke Month at Blackpool Victoria Hospital
An inspirational mosaic created by stroke survivors was unveiled at Blackpool Victoria Hospital Stroke Unit on Friday 01 May, to mark the launch of Action on Stroke Month.
The colourful mosaic will be displayed on the ward as a message of hope for patients during their recovery, and was created by eight stroke survivors during a workshop held by the Stroke Association in Blackpool.
To coincide with the unveiling, the stroke ward also held a cake sale to raise money for the unit. They welcomed the Stroke Association for the unveiling of the second mosaic on the ward.
Dr McIlmoyle, Lead Consultant on the Stroke Unit with Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “We must thank the Stroke Association for their excellent work. It’s great to see some of the people we treated taking part in this project. We are often told we need to brighten up the ward with more pictures so this is a very welcome addition. It is apt that these pieces of art have been created by survivors of stroke so we really do appreciate the effort, thank you.”
One stroke survivor who helped to create the mural, Lisa Farquhar from Lytham, was just 42 when she had a stroke in 2012. The stroke left her with difficulties walking and speaking. Before her stroke, Lisa loved to paint but now finds this difficult because the stroke also affected her right hand. She said: “The mosaic group has been a great place to meet new friends. It has inspired me to be creative again.”
Mavis Baron, from Blackpool, also attended the group. She had a stroke in 2013 at the age of 76. She added: “When I had my stroke I thought it was the end of the world for me. Seeing how others were coping lifted my spirits and gave me encouragement. It made me realise that you can do anything with determination and that there is life after stroke.”
Sam Lord, Communication Support Coordinator at the Stroke Association in Blackpool, said: “The mosaic project has given the group the chance to demonstrate the powerful way art helps people to express themselves. We’re so pleased that the Stroke Unit at Blackpool Victoria Hospital has chosen to display the mosaic mural. It will help to show stroke patients who are beginning their road to recovery that there is life after stroke and that together we can conquer stroke.”
The Stroke Association provides an Information, Advice and Support Service and Communication Support in Blackpool, in partnership with Blackpool Council and Blackpool Clinical Commissioning Group. For more information about stroke, ring the Helpline on 0303 30 33 100 or 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
