The Stroke Association calls on Bromsgrove to help conquer stroke

Lord Cobham and Councillor Janice Boswell joined forces with the Stroke Association and local stroke survivors on Thursday 09 October to help conquer stroke.

The charity is supporting the International Communication Project (ICP) 2014, which aims to highlight the importance of human communication.

By signing up to the project’s online pledge, people can show their support to the millions of people around the world who have communication disorders, such as aphasia. This condition affects a third of all stroke survivors and alters people’s ability to communicate, whether it is speaking, reading, writing or understanding.

Lord Cobham and Councillor Janice Boswell, visited the Stroke Association’s Singing Group on Thursday 9October to show his support for the global pledge. Lord Cobham said, “Stroke can have a huge impact on someone’s life. I know this too well after a close friend of mine had a stroke not too long ago. Being part of such an empowering day like today has been fantastic. Being at the Life After Stroke Centre today was so inspiring. To see the community come together and support this pledge was truly powerful. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed today and I think everyone was very decent to put up with my singing, which isn’t the best on earth!”

Councillor Janice Boswell added: “After my first visit to the choir, I couldn’t resist taking part again and again. Today has been so special, because I know the frustrations having speech difficulties can have on someone's life. After today’s performance, I think we’re well on our way to our first album, or perhaps a number 1 in the charts!”

Bernice Jones, Deputy Head of Operations for the West Midlands Life After Stroke Services, said: “Aphasia has a massive impact on stroke survivors’ lives. The communication disorder can limit people’s ability to participate fully in family life, their community, education and work. Some members of the singing group have aphasia and they have found that singing helps give them a voice again. Our singing groups have helped some people discover a new talent, while others have rediscovered an old one.

“We hope everyone in Bromsgrove will sign up to the ICP 2014 pledge to show their support to people all over the world who have a communication disorder. By helping to raise awareness, together we can conquer stroke.”

Rita Upton from Redditch, joined the Singing Group after having a stroke. Rita said,: “The singing workshops have helped me meet other people in the same situation. It has given me a weekly outing to look forward to and we’re now all like old friends. It’s important other people with communication disorders are given the same opportunity to be part of their community. By signing up to the ICP pledge we can help to support others with aphasia.”

For more information about the International Communication Project 2014 (ICP 2014) visit http://www.communication2014.com/.

To sign the pledge, visit https://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/decision-makers-worldwide-recognize-that-the-opportunity-to-communicate-is-a-basic-human-right-4

For more information about stroke, ring the Helpline on 0303 30 33 100 or visit www.stroke.org.uk.